LENEXA, Kansas, April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SAFC Biosciences, a member of the Sigma-Aldrich Group , has announced the launch of the cell culture growth factor LONG R3IGF-I as an effective, consistent alternative to insulin. This growth factor binds to type I IGF receptors to stimulate cell growth in serum-free media. Unlike insulin, which is largely supplied as a therapeutic, LONG R3IGF-I (LONGTMR3), manufactured by GroPep Limited (Adelaide, Australia), is designed exclusively for use in cell culture.
Under a joint agreement with GroPep, which commenced in 2000, SAFC Biosciences (then JRH Biosciences) obtained exclusive marketing and distribution rights for LONG R3 when used for industrial cell culture applications. As a result of the collaboration, strong technical data has been generated to support the use of this material in biopharmaceutical drug manufacturing. In addition, LONG R3 is currently used in several FDA/EMEA approved biopharmaceutical products.
Due to recent developments in the market, the need for a secure supply of a critical raw material has also been identified. Not only does LONG R3 meet this necessity, as it is manufactured exclusively for cell culture, it also addresses the market need for animal component-free additives, meeting cGMP standards. By supplying enough LONG R3 to supplement at least 80 million liters of serum-free media and supporting its use with adaptation protocols, SAFC Biosciences and GroPep are demonstrating a commitment to providing a secure supply of a critical raw material for biopharmaceutical cell culture, combining responsiveness and expertise in the industrial cell culture market.
"The launch of the growth factor LONG R3 marks a major breakthrough in the commercial production of a number of key recombinant biopharmaceutical proteins," said Rod Kelley, President of SAFC Biosciences. "We are pleased to offer a supplement for serum-free media, designed specifically for industrial cell culture use, which will ease concerns of supply chain managers worldwide as well as alleviate regulatory pressures due to its animal component-free status. This is essential for the success of the growing pipelines of today's biopharmaceutical companies."
Bob Finder, CEO and Managing Director of GroPep, added, "We have been very pleased with our collaboration with SAFC Biosciences and the motivation of both groups of technical and marketing teams. Today, industrial cell culture customers have access to a secure supply of a potent alternative to insulin, LONG R3, which further strengthens the market position of GroPep and SAFC Biosciences."
About SAFC Biosciences:
SAFC Biosciences provides an integrated services package in mammalian cell culture media development to support customer programs from pre-clinical and clinical development through to commercialization. Analytical and regulatory support is also part of the package to directly benefit speed-to-market times.
Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, SAFC Biosciences has six production facilities in the US, Europe and Australia and employs 600 people. Main product lines are EX-CELL(TM)* serum-free media; serum-based products; LONG(TM)** growth factors and BIOEAZE(TM)* disposable bioprocessing systems.
As the basis for its biopharmaceutical expansion program, Sigma-Aldrich acquired JRH Biosciences from Australia's CSL Limited in February 2005 creating SAFC Biosciences.
About Sigma-Aldrich:
Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Its biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. The Company has customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use its products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 35 countries and has over 6,800 employees providing excellent service worldwide. Sigma-Aldrich is committed to the success of its Customers, Employees and Shareholders through leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its award-winning Web site at www.sigma-aldrich.com
About GroPep:
GroPep is a world leader in the development, manufacture and commercialization of biologically active proteins for cell culture and biomedical research. The Company has an active biopharmaceutical development program that establishes proof of concept for products in humans and partners the later stages of product development and marketing with major pharmaceutical companies. GroPep is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange Limited .
*EX-CELLTM and BIOEAZETM are trademarks of SAFC Biosciences.
**LONGTM is a trademark of GroPep Limited.
Cautionary Statement: This release contains forward-looking statements relating to future performance, goals, strategic actions and initiatives and similar intentions and beliefs and other statements regarding the Companies' expectations, goals, beliefs, intentions and the like, which involve assumptions regarding the Companies' operations and conditions in the markets the Companies serve. The Companies do not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
SAFC BiosciencesCONTACT: Philip Weddle, SAFC Biosciences, Tel. +1-913-469-5580, Emailphilip.weddle@sial.com