Catalent Increases Investment in Redwood Bioscience

Catalent

has reported that based on data generated by the SMARTag ADC platform, it has increased its minority investment in Redwood Bioscience. The proprietary SMARTag precision protein-chemical engineering platform and toxin-linker technologies developed by Redwood enables the generation of homogeneous antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) engineered to enhance potency, safety, and stability.

Catalent announced in April 2013 that it had acquired an exclusive license to market the SMARTag technology and has subsequently collaborated with Redwood for the ongoing development and marketing of the technology. Redwood’s new, site-specific protein modification and linker technologies enable the generation of homogenous bioconjugates engineered to improve performance and ease of manufacturing. Combined with Catalent’s proprietary GPEx cell line expression system, Catalent recently completed a biomanufacturing Center of Excellence in Madison, Wisconsin and broad range of analytical and fill-finish services to develop more biologic treatments.

Redwood’s protein conjugation and linker technologies overcome the limitations associated with conventional protein chemistries that produce heterogeneous products with variable conjugate potency, toxicity, and stability, according to the company. The SMARTag technology enables site-specific, programmable drug-protein conjugation and uses naturally occurring modifications to proteins requiring minimal cell-line engineering.

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