Xoma Licenses Cell Expression to Invitrogen

Xoma Corp. (Berkeley, CA) has granted Invitrogen Corp. (Carlsbad, CA) a license to use Xoma's patented microbial cell expression system. Invitrogen will incorporate Xoma's AraB technology into plasmid vectors for DNA cloning and protein expression, and sell these research tools to scientists. They may also use this technology to make and sell recombinant proteins for research purposes. In addition to a licensing fee, Invitrogen will pay royalties to Xoma on sales of proteins and plasmids that use the technology.

Xoma's patented AraB promoter system efficiently controls expression of recombinant proteins in microbial host cells. The firm's pelB secretion system, also part of this license, improves yields and reduces recovery and purification costs. Xoma has received six U.S. patents and one U.S. notice of allowance covering key aspects of the expression technology.

This deal may have implications beyond research. According to Jack Castello, Xoma's Chairman, familiarizing researchers with the vectors is just the first step. "The availability of proteins and plasmids made using our technology will familiarize researchers with the advantages of our approach. This may encourage more interest from pharmaceutical developers and more widespread use of our system in manufacturing early-stage products."

Microbial cell expression technology is a basic process for producing recombinant proteins. Scientists genetically engineer a DNA sequence to encode a desired protein and insert it into a host cell, such as a bacterium or a yeast cell. Grown in a nutrient broth, the cells multiply and produce the protein, which is extracted and purified. The same technology used for laboratory research is used at a larger scale to commercially manufacture recombinant proteins for pharmaceutical products.

Because Xoma's system increases product yields and improves process control in the production of recombinant proteins, it can also reduce production costs in the manufacture of genetically-engineered pharmaceuticals. Xoma has licensed its cell expression technology to 12 biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Commercial license terms typically include up-front fees, milestone payments and royalties on future income from developed products.

Neuprex, (rBPI-21), Xoma's first BPI-derived product, is in clinical testing for multiple indications, including Phase III trials in severe pediatric meningococcemia (a deadly systemic bacterial infection of children) and hemorrhage due to trauma (severe blood loss from injuries). BPI-derived products in preclinical development include I-PREX, a topical ophthalmic formulation of rBPI-21, and Mycoprex, an antifungal peptide product.

For more information: Ellen M. Martin, Xoma Corp., 2910 Seventh St., Berkeley, CA 94710. Tel: 510-644-1170.

Edited by Angelo DePalma