DNA2.0, the leading bioengineering solutions provider and VTU Technology, the leader in Pichia pastoris protein expression services, today announced a partnership to develop and refine a gene design algorithm to enable maximized protein production in the yeast P. pastoris. The collaboration will combine VTU´s deep P. pastoris expertise and AOX1 promoter technology with DNA2.0’s gene design technology for robust translation.
“Pichia is ideally suited for high-level expression of recombinant proteins for therapeutic and industrial applications,” said Dr. Thomas Purkarthofer, Head of Business Development of VTU Technology. “We are excited to merge the unparalleled strength of our P. pastoris expression system with DNA2.0’s industry-leading gene design and expression optimization technology.”
VTU’s P. pastoris protein expression platform is based on engineered versions of the AOX1 promoter, one of the strongest eukaryotic promoters known. VTU’s approach delivers up to 20 g/L of secreted protein within a few weeks development time, and the company has a proven track record for expressing commercial levels of a wide range of proteins including serum proteins, cytokines, fusion proteins, Fabs, antibody derived fragments, scaffold proteins and enzymes.
The protein target for this collaboration is DNA2.0’s IP-free CometGFP™, which is part of a novel family of fluorescent and colorimetric proteins developed by DNA2.0. The corresponding IP-free genes are brought to market without expensive, constrained licensing.
“We developed our initial Pichia gene design algorithm with the world-leading P. pastoris laboratory of Anton Glieder, and we are thrilled to expand the breadth and scope of our P. pastoris technology for industrial scale applications with the proven commercial leader in the field, VTU Technology,” said Jeremy Minshull, PhD., cofounder and CEO of DNA2.0. “Controllable, consistent and strong protein expression is the goal regardless of the type of research in which you are engaged, and our patented GeneGPS™ technology has been proven to produce orders of magnitude increases in protein expression.”
About VTU Technology
VTU Technology is a leading provider of comprehensive services based on exclusive and innovative Pichia pastoris protein production technologies. With exclusive know-how and extensive experience, VTU´s skilled team delivers fast-track development of high-performance industrial protein production strains enabling high expression yields and economically attractive production processes.
Headquartered in Grambach/Graz, Austria, VTU Technology is a private company and a subsidiary of VTU Holding, an Austrian enterprise that combines several technology and engineering companies in chemistry, pharma & life science as well as power and fuel industries. For more information, please visit www.vtu-technology.com
About DNA2.0
DNA2.0 is the leading bioengineering solutions provider. Founded in 2003, DNA2.0 offers an integrated pipeline of solutions for the research community, including gene design, optimization, synthesis and cloning, as well as platforms for protein and strain engineering. It is the fastest provider of synthetic genes—based in the US with a global customer base encompassing academia, government and the pharmaceutical, chemical, agricultural and biotechnology industries. DNA2.0 is by far the most published synthetic gene vendor, providing expert support to and collaboration with scientists. DNA2.0 explores novel applications for synthetic genes and is exploiting the synergy between highly efficient gene design and synthesis processes and new protein optimization technologies. DNA2.0’s tools and solutions are fueling the transformation of biology from a discovery science to an engineering discipline. The company is privately held and is headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif. For more information, please visit www.DNA20.com.