ProBioGen Upholds Strong Patent Position in Viral Vaccine Manufacturing Field

Cell line specialist ProBioGen announced that the Opposition Division of the European Patent Office has confirmed ProBioGen’s patent, covering the production of Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus on permanent duck cell lines for viral vaccines, in all claims.

ProBioGen was first to demonstrate that MVA can be produced efficiently on duck cell lines like its proprietary AGE1.CR.pIX cell line. Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus is a vector with proven safety profile for therapeutic and prophylactic vaccination against infectious diseases and tumours.

“The decision of the Patent Office confirms ProBioGen’s strong position in the vector-based vaccine field. The upheld IP protection of this pioneering platform technology also provides planning security for our existing and for future licensees,” states Dr Wieland Wolf, CEO of ProBioGen.

ProBioGen developed the AGE1.CR.pIX duck cell line along with robust industrial vaccine production processes for a wide spectrum of viruses, including MVA. AGE1.CR.pIX grows in true suspension in chemically defined media. In contrast to the traditionally used cells from embryonated chicken eggs, AGE1.CR.pIX, derived from a muscovy duck, is devoid of adverse retroviral activity. Hence, the complex and costly production processes with chicken eggs are replaced by a safe, fully scalable, and cost-effective production platform, which is easily transferrable.

The company offers licences and contract research services to human and animal vaccine companies.