ArcticZymes and Vectron Biosolutions sign license agreement on recombinant enzyme expression technology

(Tromsø 20. December 2018) Biotec Pharmacon's (OSE: Biotec) subsidiary ArcticZymes and Vectron Biosolutions AS (Vectron) have signed a non-exclusive license agreement for recombinant manufacturing of enzymes.

ArcticZymes is a leader in the development and commercialization of novel enzymes applied to molecular biology kits, In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD), gene therapy, and protein purification. Vectron supplies the life science industry with superior broad-host-range vector technology and solutions for industrial level production of recombinant proteins.

High yield recombinant expression of proteins and enzymes in host-microorganisms is a key challenge for the manufacturing of enzyme products and the diverse nature of enzymes makes it difficult to apply a generic method. The two companies have collaborated in two projects, financed by Innovation Norway and the Research Council of Norway, in order to test the feasibility and optimization of Vectron’s technology for the production of ArcticZymes enzymes. The results from the projects have shown a high success rate on a large set of target enzymes in ArcticZymes’ discovery pipeline and a high yield in scaled-up production processes. This agreement allows for more efficient discovery of new enzymes and improved yield in manufacturing of ArcticZymes’ products.

ArcticZymes will pay royalties depending on sales of products manufactured using Vectrons’ technology.

Olav Lanes, Director of R&D and Applications at ArcticZymes AS, added:

“Through our existing partnership we have successfully proven that Vectron’s technology is efficient for use in recombinant manufacturing of ArcticZymes’ enzyme products. This agreement expands ArcticZymes’ toolbox for more efficient enzyme discovery and improved enzyme yield and is important to speed growth of our product offering”.

Trond Erik Aune, CEO of Vectron Biosolutions, said:

“We are encouraged to see that our technology works on the unique enzyme targets at ArcticZymes, as these targets are often hard to express and produce successfully. This is a valuable expansion of the use of our technology in the life science market.”

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About Biotec Pharmacon ASA

Biotec Pharmacon ASA is a biotechnology company developing, producing and marketing novel recombinant enzymes and immune modulating beta-glucans.  It is the parent company of ArcticZymes AS and Biotec BetaGlucans AS.

For more information, please visit the website: www.biotec.no.

About ArcticZymes

ArcticZymes develops, produces and markets enzymes of marine origin used in molecular DNA technologies and diagnostics, representing growth markets where rapid technological developments are creating a strong demand for new and improved enzymes.

For more information, please visit: www.arcticzymes.com.  

About Vectron Biosolutions AS

Vectron Biosolutions AS supplies the life science industries with superior technologies and solutions for robust and cost-efficient production of recombinant proteins in E. coli and other bacteria.

For more information, please visit: www.vectronbiosolutions.com.