Platform

ExpreS2ion’s platform supports the development of biologic drug candidates by enabling the production of complex proteins using engineered insect cells.

Description

The ExpreS2 platform is ExpreS2ion’s proprietary protein expression system based on engineered Drosophila Schneider-2, or S2, cells. The platform is designed to support recombinant protein production for therapeutic, immunology-based, and research applications.

ExpreS2 has been used to express a broad range of proteins across internal and external programmes. Its key strengths include expression of complex protein targets, scalable production processes, and a focus on product quality and consistency.

Application

The platform combines features associated with insect-cell expression systems with selected capabilities more commonly associated with mammalian-cell systems. ExpreS2ion’s patented expression vectors and cell-line technologies are intended to support efficient protein expression and product development.

The GlycoX-S2™ cell-line technology is designed to enable selected glycosylation profiles, which may be relevant for certain therapeutic and immunology-based applications.

ExpreS2 has been used to express more than 500 proteins, with an internal historical expression success rate above 90%. In selected projects, recombinant protein production can be achieved within approximately 3-6 months, depending on target complexity and development requirements.

Proofs-of-concept

Advantages of the ExpreS2 platform technology

1) Supports development of active immunotherapies and biologics

Potential advantages in immunotherapy applications

1. Non-replicating delivery formats
When combined with virus-like particle, or VLP, delivery systems, ExpreS2-produced antigens can be presented in a non-replicating format designed to support immune recognition.

2. Antigen presentation
VLP-based approaches can enable high-density antigen display, which may support a broad immune response depending on the antigen, construct design, and disease setting.

3. Versatility
ExpreS2 can be used to produce complex antigens and proteins for a range of therapeutic and immunology-based applications, with or without delivery vehicles.

2) Supports production of complex proteins

Potential advantages versus other protein-production methods

The ExpreS2 platform is designed to support efficient expression of complex proteins, including targets that may be challenging to produce in other systems.

Key platform features include:

  1. Efficient protein expression
  2. Scalable production processes
  3. Consistent manufacturing batches
  4. Options for functional protein modification
  5. Applicability across a broad range of protein targets

Illustration

Active immunotherapy using ExpreS2-produced antigens and a virus-like particle, or VLP, delivery system