ProBioGen Inks License Agreement Deal with AstraZeneca

ProBioGen, a contract manufacturing and development organization, announced on Feb. 11, 2022, that it had come to an agreement with AstraZeneca to license out its GlymaxX technology. According to a company press release, GlymaxX improves target cell killing orchestrated by natural killer cells, enhancing antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC).

According to the release, GlymaxX prevents the addition of the sugar fucose in the N-linked antibody carbohydrate part by introducing an enzyme which deflects the cellular pathway of fucose biosynthesis. The absence of fucose enhances ADCC activity for antibodies directed against cancer and infectious diseases, making it ideal for drug discovery purposes. Additionally, one unique advantage of GlymaxX is that it can use the same modified cell line to produce antibodies of varying levels of fucosylation.

"We are delighted that AstraZeneca decided to implement our technology, which has shown great potential in making molecules more potent and efficient." said Gabriele Schneider, chief business officer, ProBioGen, in the press release.