Horizon Discovery licenses CHOSOURCE platform to TrueBinding for development and commercialization of multiple biotherapeutics

TrueBinding signs multi-product commercial-use license to develop stable, antibody-expressing cell lines using Horizon’s gene-edited CHO GS knockout platform

Cambridge, UK, and Menlo park, CA, USA, 29 July 2020: Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE: HZD) (“Horizon”, “the Company” or “the Group”), a global leader in the application of gene editing and gene modulation for cell line engineering, today announced that TrueBinding, Inc. (“TrueBinding”, formerly Immutics, Inc.), a biopharmaceutical company, has signed a set of commercial licenses for Horizon’s cGMP-compliant CHOSOURCE™ platform. TrueBinding will use the platform for the development and commercialization of multiple biotherapeutic products for applications in immuno-oncology and other disease areas with great unmet medical need.

Horizon’s CHOSOURCE platform includes a gene-edited Glutamine Synthetase (“GS”) knockout Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) K1 cell line, a well-established GS expression system recognized in the industry and by regulators as suitable for high-yield biomanufacturing. TrueBinding has successfully used this platform to develop stable, antibody-expressing cell lines in a proof-of-concept study and will now implement this to support further antibody drug development through commercial manufacturing.

“We are delighted TrueBinding has placed its trust in the capabilities of Horizon’s CHOSOURCE expression platform to support its research and development efforts,” commented Jesús Zurdo, Global Head Bioproduction Business Unit, Horizon Discovery. “Horizon is fully committed to supporting innovative organizations of all sizes, from non-profit organizations and early stage startups to clinical stage biotechnology and large pharmaceutical companies, in their journey to develop much-needed novel therapeutic products using our expression platform.”

Dr. Fan Chen, SVP of CMC, TrueBinding, explained: “Horizon’s CHOSOURCE platform provides a robust system for generating high protein expression stable cell lines to support TrueBinding antibody drug development through commercial manufacturing. We are very pleased with current program results and move to further collaboration with Horizon Discovery.”

Horizon’s proprietary GS knockout CHO line and protocols facilitate the development of stable cell lines for the expression of antibodies and other recombinant proteins. The Company also licenses a CHO expression system to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and biosimilar companies, as well as contract manufacturing organizations. To enable companies to move from the DNA sequence of their potential biotherapeutic to clinical manufacturing as simply and rapidly as possible, the complete system includes the GS knockout CHO K1 cell line, a comprehensive package of supporting documentation, and an expression vector supplied under license from DNATwoPointO, Inc.

To date, CHOSOURCE has been licensed to 80 organizations globally, with at least seven confirmed biotherapeutics expressed in these cells having progressed to investigational new drug (IND) filings.

For further information on Horizon’s CHO expression system please visit: https://www.horizondiscovery.com/bioproduction/cho-cells 

ENDS

For high res images please contact lorna.cuddon@zymecommunications.com

Jesús Zurdo, Global Head Bioprocessing, Horizon Discovery		Dr. Fan Chen, SVP of CMC, TrueBinding. Inc.

For further information from Horizon Discovery Group plc, please contact:

Zyme Communications (Trade and Regional Media)

Lorna Cuddon

Tel: +44 (0)7811 996 942

Email: lorna.cuddon@zymecommunications.com

For further information from TrueBinding Inc., please contact:

Fan Chen Ph.D.

SVP of CMC

Tel: +1 650-847-1117

Email: fchen@truebinding.com

To opt-out from receiving press releases from Zyme Communications please email info@zymecommunications.com. To view our privacy policy, please click here.

About Horizon Discovery Group plc - horizondiscovery.com

Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE: HZD) ("Horizon") drives the application of gene editing and gene modulation within the global life science market – supporting scientists on the path from research to therapy.

Built upon more than a decade of experience in the engineering of cell lines, Horizon offers an unmatched portfolio of tools and services to help scientists gain a greater understanding of gene function, identify genetic drivers behind human disease, deliver biotherapeutics, cellular and gene therapies for precision medicine as well as develop and validate diagnostic workflows.

Horizon’s solutions enable almost any gene to be altered, or its function modulated, in human and other mammalian cell lines.

The Company’s customers include many of the world’s foremost academic institutes, global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as clinical diagnostic laboratories. Insight into the challenges faced by these organizations enables the company to focus efforts on development of innovative solutions that not only differentiate the company’s offering, but also fuel development of the next wave of precision medicines.

Horizon is headquartered in Cambridge, UK with offices in USA and Japan. The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market under the ticker HZD.

Follow Horizon Discovery on Twitter @HZDiscovery and LinkedIn @Horizon Discovery

About Horizon’s CHOSOURCE™ platform

Horizon’s proprietary CHOSOURCE™ platform, consisting of a GS knockout CHO K1 cell line combined with a dual promoter expression vector, is now established as an industry standard for host cell line development, facilitating cell line selection and optimization of costs and production processes. A comprehensive cell line history and a clear intellectual property position ensure freedom to operate in biotherapeutic production. Horizon’s robust CHO GS knockout host cell line provides an optimal expression system with an excellent performance record.

About TrueBinding - truebinding.com

TrueBinding Inc. is an early stage biotherapeutics development company focused on creating new and exciting molecules for applications in immune-oncology and other disease areas with great unmet medical need.