Cobra Biologics delivers final plasmids for production of CG01 in CombiGene's epilepsy project
Further milestone paves the way for production of novel gene therapy drug candidate designed to treat drug-resistant focal epilepsy
Keele, UK and Lund, Sweden, 13 July 2020: Cobra Biologics (Cobra), part of the Cognate BioServices family, an international Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) for biologics and pharmaceuticals, and CombiGene AB (publ) (CombiGene), the leading gene therapy company in the Nordic region, today announced that Cobra has successfully produced and supplied two further DNA plasmids for the production of CombiGene’s gene therapy drug candidate CG01, which is being developed for the treatment of drug-resistant focal epilepsy. This successfully completes delivery of all plasmids required to progress to the next phase of the project.
The production of CG01, is dependent on manufactured and specifically modified plasmids. All three plasmids delivered by Cobra are key components of the gene therapy vector tasked with "transporting" CG01's active substances NPY and Y2 into the patient’s brain tissue. To produce CG01 the plasmids are introduced into specific cells that act as “the factory” to produce the CG01 compound which will then be purified through a series of advanced techniques. The development of the manufacturing process for CG01, is thereby significantly more complex and time consuming than is the case for traditional small molecule medicines.
The first plasmid was delivered in April and with Cobra now delivering the two remaining plasmids, CombiGene is ready to begin production of CG01 as soon as the final manufacturing process is defined.
Karin Agerman, Chief Research and Development Officer, CombiGene: "The successful production and delivery of the last two of the three vital plasmids is another milestone in our collaboration with Cobra in the CG01 project. Since the start of our collaboration, Cobra has consistently delivered according to plan, which makes us feel great confidence in our continued collaboration in the CG01 project."
Peter Coleman, Chief Executive, Cobra Biologics: “This is a further milestone in the progression of the CGO1 project and it gives me great pride in Cobra playing such a key role, drawing on our many years’ of experience and expertise in gene therapy production. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the CombiGene team on the next stages of manufacture."
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Sarah Jeffery
Zyme Communications
E-mail: sarah.jeffery@
Phone: +44 (0)7771 730919
Cobra Biologics
Peter Coleman
Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: peter.coleman@cobrabio.com
Phone: +44 (0)1782 714181
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About Cobra Biologics www.cobrabio.com
Cobra is a leading international contract manufacturer (a CDMO company) that produces DNA, viral
vectors, microbiota for preclinical, clinical and commercial use.
Cobra has two GMP-approved facilities in Sweden and the UK, both with expertise tailored to provide the best service to customers around the world. Cobra offers a wide range of integrated and independent development and manufacturing services for both clinical studies and
commercial market.
As a trusted supplier and important partner in the development and commercialization processes, we are proud of our outstanding manufacturing and wide range of services to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
Cobra is supported by leading shareholder EW Healthcare Partners, as well as Medivate Partners, a Middle Eastern Sovereign Wealth Fund and Blackrock, who continue supporting the business and its expansion activities.
For further information, please visit www.cobrabio.com
About CombiGene AB www.combigene.com
CombiGene's vision is to offer patients affected by severe life-changing diseases opportunities for a better life through innovative gene therapies. CombiGene's business concept is to develop effective gene therapies for serious diseases that today lack adequate treatment methods. Research assets are taken in from a network of external researchers and developed further up to clinical concept verification. Drug candidates for common diseases will be co-developed and commercialized through strategic partnerships, while CombiGene may drive the development and commercialization in-house for medicines aimed at limited patient populations.
The company is public and listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market and the company's Certified Advisor is FNCA Sweden AB, +46 (0)852 80 03 99, info@fnca.se .
CG01 is CombiGene’s lead project, targeting pharmacoresistent focal epilepsy. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder, affecting around 65 million people worldwide, and is characterised by seizures, which are caused by the abnormal firing of neurons in the brain. CG01 uses AAV to deliver neuropeptide Y (NPY) and the Y2-receptor into brain cells, which has been able to prevent epileptic seizures in preclinical studies.
The company is public and listed on the Swedish marketplace Nasdaq First North Growth Market and
the company’s Certified Advisor is FNCA Sweden AB, +46 (0)852 80 03 99 info@fnca.se.