Cell Culture Company (C3) Deal Targets Pancreatic Cancer

Chinese BioPharma Awards Minnesota Company Therapeutic Contract

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cell Culture Company (C3), a biopharmaceutical developer and manufacturer, announced today it has entered into an agreement with a China-based joint venture to produce a clinical-grade antibody-based therapeutic vaccine targeting pancreatic cancer.

“C3 was chosen because of its ability to meet aggressive timelines, while providing the highest levels of expertise and quality”

OncoVent, a joint venture between Shenzhen Hepalink Pharmaceutical Co. and Canada-based OncoQuest, began negotiations with C3 after its drug candidate had produced positive pre-clinical data for a combinatory immunotherapy targeting pancreatic cancer. C3 was ultimately awarded the contract and will complete the work at its Minneapolis-based cGMP bioproduction facility.

"C3 was chosen because of its ability to meet aggressive timelines, while providing the highest levels of expertise and quality," said OncoVent CEO, Dr. Y. Eric Shi. "We hope this is the beginning of a long relationship that results in saving many lives."

C3 is headquartered in a 33,000 square foot facility that houses corporate offices, bioreactor manufacturing operations, GMP-compliant laboratory space, and a distribution center.

“It's an honor to be selected to support OncoVent’s immunotherapy development,” said Christiaan Engstrom, President at C3. “We look forward to leading the production of a product we hope will have global impact.”

About Cell Culture Company (C3)

Cell Culture Company is revolutionizing the quality, scalability and predictability of diagnostic and therapeutic mammalian protein production. For over 30 years, Cell Culture Company has been delivering GMP production solutions and services from pre-clinical to commercial in mg to kg quantities.

C3 delivers value to the BioPharmaceutical Industry by:

• Decreasing production risk with single-use, closed systems
• Increasing speed to market by reducing validation requirements
• Improving cell health and quality via innovative perfusion bioreactor technology
• Reducing production costs including capital expenditures, labor, facilities and materials

About the Product: Anti-MUC1 MAb-AR20.5

Anti-MUC1 MAb-AR20.5 is a novel immunotherapeutic drug for investigational use in the treatment of patients with malignancies expressing the tumor-associated antigen known as MUC1. MAb-AR20.5 binds with high affinity to MUC1, recognizing the tandem repeat peptide sequence DTRPAP of the high molecular weight MUC1 glycoprotein. MUC1 is expressed on many adenocarcinomas including pancreatic, breast, lung, colon and prostate, as well as in multiple myeloma, and this epitope uniquely exposed in malignant cells.

A Phase I clinical study in MUC1 expressing cancers has established bioactivity associated with dose and a favorable safety profile. OncoQuest is developing this antibody in conjunction with OncoVent for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon current beliefs, expectations and assumptions. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release and the company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release based on new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.