Boehringer Ingelheim to utilise Pfenex expression platform

Boehringer Ingelheim has agreed a deal that will allow it to utilise expression platform technology from Pfenex in its drug development projects.

The strategic agreement will provide Boehringer Ingelheim and its contract manufacturing customers with access to Pfenex Expression Technology, which utilises the microorganism Pseudomonas fluorescens to produce proteins.

Under the terms of the arrangement, Pfenex will use this technology to engineer production strains and processes for Boehringer Ingelheim's proprietary molecules, thus speeding the progression of clinical development.

Simon Sturge, corporate senior vice-president of the biopharmaceuticals division at Boehringer Ingelheim, said the deal will enhance its contract manufacturing service offering.

He added: "The Pfenex Expression Technology delivers excellent expression rates and we are looking forward to realising customer projects with this technology."

Earlier this month, Boehringer Ingelheim allied with Elan in a collaboration focusing on the development of new antibody-based therapeutics, taking advantage of the strength of the company's BI Hex platform.