BALTIMORE and ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Lentigen Corporation, a privately held biotechnology company focused on the manufacturing and development of lentiviral vectors, and Omnia Biologics, Inc., a private biologics contract manufacturer, announced today the companies have entered into a non-exclusive strategic alliance intended to expand capacity and Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) for clinical and research grade lentiviral vectors. Under the agreement, Lentigen and Omnia may refer clients to the other party for their respective services. Additional terms of the alliance were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to announce this strategic alliance with Omnia Biologics,” remarked Dr. Boro Dropulic, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lentigen. “This agreement will allow Lentigen to offer our clients access to cGMP manufacturing capabilities, which will likely be essential as lentiviral vectors become more prevalent in clinical studies and biologics production methods.”
Dr. Dale VanderPutten, Chief Executive Officer of Omnia Biologics, added, “Our team is very excited that Lentigen has chosen Omni for an alliance to bring their first-in-class vectors to the clinic. Dr. Dropulic’s reputation and track record in this area are unparalleled and we look forward to being a part of the future success of Lentigen.”
About Lentiviral Vectors
Lentiviral vectors (LV) are vehicles that can deliver genes or RNAi into cells with up to 100% efficiency and stability. By comparison, other viral vector systems such as non-viral, adenoviral and adeno-associated viral vectors have been shown to achieve high, but not stable, gene delivery into cells or to deliver genes stably, but not efficiently (murine retroviral vectors).
Gene delivery is accomplished by the binding and fusing of the LV pseudotyped envelope protein to the target cell membrane. The LV RNA containing the gene or gene silencing sequence is then incorporated into the cell via reverse transcription creating a DNA complex. This complex enters the nucleus incorporating into the chromosomal DNA creating a stable molecule. The gene sequence is integrated in the chromosome and is copied along with the DNA during ongoing cell division.
About Lentigen Corporation
Lentigen Corporation is a privately owned biotechnology company focused on the manufacturing and development of lentiviral vectors using its proprietary gene delivery technology for a wide range of applications in biotechnology and medicine. Lentiviral vectors are highly adapted delivery vehicles that can transport genes or gene silencing sequences into cells with high efficiency and stability. Lentigen is positioning itself to become the leading provider of Lentiviral vector products and services for academic, government, biotechnology and pharmaceutical researchers. For further information, visit http://www.Lentigen.com.
About Omnia Biologics Inc.
Omnia offers services in the areas of process development, GMP manufacture, and fill-finish for preclinical and Phase I clinical programs for therapeutics that do not have effective or known manufacturing protocols. These include vaccines, autologous therapeutics, new gene therapeutic platforms, and stem cell technologies. The company seeks and has established relationships with both biopharmaceutical companies and academic investigators throughout the world. http://www.omniabiologics.com
Lentigen Corporation
CONTACT: Greg Feulner, VP Business Development of Lentigen Corporation,+1-443-543-5318, greg.feulner@lentigen.com; or Dale VanderPutten of OmniaBiologics, Inc., +1-301-984-5928 , info@omniabiologics.com; or Media:Gregory Tiberend of Richard Lewis Communications, Inc., +1-212-827-0020,gtiberend@rlcinc.com, or Investors: Tara Spiess of TS Communications Group,LLC, +1-914-921-5900, spiess@biotechirpr.com