Horsholm, Denmark, February 16, 2017 – Today, ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies ApS (“ExpreS2ion”), a fully owned subsidiary of ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding AB, announces that its Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Willem Adriaan (“Wian”) de Jongh, is speaking at the ISBiotech 7th Spring Meeting in Washington D.C., USA, on March 6th, 2017, presenting under the headline “Development of Malaria Sub-Unit Vaccines Using the Non-Viral Drosophila S2 Insect Cell Expression System”.

Abstract

Drosophila S2 insect cell expression is less known than the extensively used Spodoptera (Sf9/Sf21) or Trichoplusia ni (Hi-5) insect cell based baculovirus expression system (BEVS). Nevertheless, it has been used in research for almost 40 years. The cell line was derived from late stage Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) embryos by Schneider in the 1970s, who named the cell line Drosophila Schneider line 2 (synonyms: S2, SL2, D.mel. 2). The S2 expression system has been used for antigen manufacture up to and including Phase II clinical trials, and was used, among others, for production of Dengue antigens tested in a Phase I clinical trial by Merck Inc.

ExpreS2ion has developed S2-based production processes for two malaria vaccine clinical trials with The Jenner Institute, Oxford University (Rh5, blood-stage malaria) and Copenhagen University (VAR2CSA, pregnancy-associated malaria). The pregnancy-associated malaria vaccine is currently in a Phase Ia trial in Germany, and will be followed by a Phase Ib trial in Benin. The blood-stage malaria vaccine has recently completed cGMP manufacture and the Phase I/IIa trial started in October 2016. Furthermore, transmission blocking malaria vaccine candidates (Pfs25, Pfs48/45, Pfs230C) are also under development. Antigen expression screening, process development, and GMP manufacture for these malaria programs will be discussed.

 

For further information, please contact:
ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies
Telephone: +45 4256 6869
E-mail: info@expres2ionbio.com


About ExpreS2ion

ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies ApS, is a fully owned Danish subsidiary of ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding AB with company register number 559033-3729. The subsidiary has developed a unique platform technology, ExpreS2, enabling cost effective development and robust production of complex proteins for new vaccines and diagnostics for e.g. Malaria and Zika. Since founded in 2010, the company has used its patented ExpreS2 platform to produce more than 200 proteins in collaborations with research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies, with a superior efficiency and success rate.