ExpreS2ion announces supporting an advantageous COVID-19 diagnostic antibody development project
Hørsholm, Denmark, May 4, 2020 – Today, ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies ApS (“ExpreS2ion”), a fully owned subsidiary of ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding AB, announces that its SARS-CoV-2 antigen is being applied across multiple research and development projects, including an on-going diagnostic antibody test program that Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen and Novo Nordisk jointly develop to support the diagnosis of COVID-19 in Denmark on a national level.
ExpreS2ion and its joint venture partner AdaptVac are engaged in the development of a unique capsid virus-like particle (VLP) COVID-19 vaccine. In this Horizon 2020 EU-sponsored PREVENT-nCoV program ExpreS2ion recently announced its ability to produce the SARS-CoV-S2 protein antigen with sufficient purity and quality for animal testing and further continuation of the rapid development towards clinical studies before the end of 2020.
Since the beginning of the vaccine program, the ExpreS2-made antigen has been in demand from a variety of groups worldwide. In compliance with the WHO’s pledge to strengthen worldwide collaboration, cooperation and sharing of data in the scientific community (see WHO statement), ExpreS2ion is also committing to support research and development projects that are synergistic to the current COVID-19 vaccine focus. Most recently ExpreS2ion is engaged in an on-going COVID-19 diagnostic test program that Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen and Novo Nordisk jointly develop to support a quick and accurate diagnosis of a COVID-19 antibody response on a national level in Denmark. The Carlsberg Foundation has supported the development of a COVID-19 antibody test. The ability to produce the COVID-19 antigens and to quickly “tailor” them to suit the assay is a key advantage of the ExpreS2-platform.
Rigshospitalet’s Professor of Clinical Molecular Medicine Dr. Peter Garred comments:
“I am leading a team of experts that focus on bringing a quick and accurate antibody test for COVID-19 as fast as possible to the general public in Denmark. The support of Novo Nordisk and ExpreS2ion is of outmost importance to proceed with this goal. So far, their contribution strongly supports the further clinical development that started last week. I hope an antibody test is fully developed and ready to use by the summer 2020.”
ExpreS2ion’s CEO Bent Frandsen comments:
“I find it very encouraging that our unique SARS-CoV-2 antigen can be used even beyond the COVID-19 vaccine program. Of the multiple R&D projects we support in this field, I find it especially motivating that a diagnostic test also can be developed by the ExpreS2 platform. It will be exciting to follow the progression of Prof. Garred’s diagnostic development project.”
The COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak
A novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was reported in Wuhan, China in late December 2019 and declared a pandemic by WHO on March 11th, 2020. The COVID-19 Coronavirus is a part of the same family as SARS and MERS, and there have been more than 3.2 million confirmed cases and over 230 000 deaths reported as of May 2nd, 2020. The latest situation updates are available on the WHO web page: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019.
Rigshospitalet’s Centre of Diagnostic Investigation
The Centre is a collection of highly specialised departments working with laboratory analyses including image diagnostics, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, pathology, immunology, blood donation, blood products and biobanking as well as providing medical advice to clinicians. The research ranges from patient-focused clinical research to molecular biological studies of disease processes.
Certified Adviser
Svensk Kapitalmarknadsgranskning AB
Telephone: +46 70 755 95 51
E-mail: ca@skmg.se
For further information about ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding AB, please contact:
Bent U. Frandsen, CEO
Telephone: +45 4256 6869
E-mail: buf@expres2ionbio.com
About ExpreS2ion
ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies ApS is a fully owned Danish subsidiary of ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding AB with company register number 559033-3729. ExpreS2ion has developed a unique technology platform, ExpreS2, for fast and efficient non-clinical development and production of complex proteins for new vaccines and diagnostics. ExpreS2 is regulatorily validated for clinical supply. The platform includes functionally modified glycosylation variants for enhanced immunogenicity and pharmacokinetics. Since 2010, the Company has produced more than 300 proteins and 40 virus-like particles (VLPs) in collaboration with leading research institutions and companies. Since 2017, ExpreS2ion develops novel VLP based vaccines through its joint venture AdaptVac ApS. For additional information, please visit www.expres2ionbio.com and www.adaptvac.com.