XOMA, Taligen Enter Manufacturing Deal

XOMA, Ltd. has entered into an agreement with Taligen Therapeutics, Inc. of Aurora, CO for the development and cGMP manufacture of a novel antibody fragment for the potential treatment of inflammatory diseases. Under the agreement, XOMA will utilize its Bacterial Cell Expression technology to develop and scale-up production processes for Taligen’s FAb antibody fragment. XOMA will also manufacture quantities of the antibody fragment sufficient to support preclinical and initial clinical trials. XOMA intends to begin work on the project immediately and to negotiate a longer-term definitive agreement with Taligen later this year.

“XOMA has substantial expertise in bacterial cell line development, process development, scale-up and manufacturing ideally suited to biologics, and we are pleased that Taligen can benefit from XOMA’s capabilities on such an important product for Taligen,” said Woodruff Emlen, M.D., president of Taligen.

“We are pleased to help Taligen develop and manufacture this antibody fragment,” said Rob Tenerowicz, XOMA’s vice president of operations. “Our agreement with Taligen is important because it demonstrates the breadth of our capabilities and expertise in bacterial fermentation processes in addition to our better-known strengths in mammalian cell culture systems. It also supports XOMA’s business strategy of leveraging our cell line and process development expertise, along with our production capacity, to generate revenue.”