Press Releases
Polyplus-transfection launches the next generation PEI transfection reagent for bioproduction
PEIpro(TM) further expands an already rich catalogue of innovative reagents
Strasbourg, France, January 18, 2012 – Polyplus-transfection SA, specializing in the development of innovative solutions for transfection, today announces the launch of PEIpro, the next generation linear PEI (polyethylenimine) transfection reagent for large scale production of proteins, antibodies and viral vectors.
“The PEIpro launch significantly extends our line of quality transfection reagents for biotech and bio-pharmaceutical companies. It will substantiallyincrease Polyplus’ presence in the fast growing bio-production segment,” said Mark Bloomfield, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. “The PEIpro transfection reagent is the only product currently on the market that has been tailored to meet current regulatory guidelines for raw materials used in bio-production. It has been possible to develop PEIpro because of Polyplus’ proven reputation as an effective, responsive and reliable supply chain partner to many successful bio-pharma companies worldwide.”
Polyplus has specifically developed, formulated and qualified the PEI based transfection reagent to meet the needs of scientists working on large-scale transient transfection. PEIpro now adds to the Polyplus portfolio a unique, readyto- use and cost effective alternative transfection reagent for customers using calcium phosphate or an expensive, unqualified lipid based commercial reagent.
The PEIpro transfection reagent is an animal free product supporting its use in clinical and therapeutic product development and production. As PEIpro is fully optimized for the production of recombinant proteins by Transient Gene Expression (TGE) in a wide range of production platforms such as suspension adapted mammalian cell lines cultivated in shaker flasks, platform shakers or stirred tank bioreactors, it is immediately usable in laboratories and facilities with these platforms. PEIpro can also be used for viral vector production (lentiviruses, adenoviruses, AAV, etc.) using adherent cell lines cultivated in serum-free culture media. On request, Polyplus-transfection can supply a fully GMP compliant version of PEIpro transfection reagent for the production of therapeutic proteins and viral vectors.
The PEIpro transfection reagent offers scientists working in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology specific advantages over the current PEI offerings in the marketplace for bioproduction. The reagent is ready to use, well characterized in terms of chemical structure and is manufactured and formulated using a highly specific and controlled production process in a dedicated manufacturing facility.
PEIpro is released for shipment only after conforming to advanced quality controls. These include a specific transfection efficiency test and specification that ensures excellent lot-to-lot consistency allowing customers to spend time optimizing production yields instead of formulating, characterizing and qualifying their ‘home brew’ transfection reagent. In addition, the purchase of PEIpro provides the freedom to operate via an implied license for the use of polyethylenimine (PEI) in transfection for R&D and commercial applications, IP for which Polyplus-transfection is the exclusive, worldwide licensee.
Polyplus-transfection announces the appointment of ten additional biologists and chemists to support multiple pre-clinical studies
Polyplus-transfection celebrates 10 years of commercial growth and research and development in the field of transfection bio-tools and therapeutics with further additions to team
Strasbourg, France, September 15, 2011 – Polyplus-transfection SA, which specializes in the development of innovative solutions for the delivery of nucleic acids in research and therapeutics, today celebrates 10 years of continuous growth.
From its launch in 2001, Polyplus-transfection has sold its lines of proprietary transfection reagents through a large network of international distributors covering more than 30 countries worldwide. During the past decade, Polyplus-transfection has evolved into two business units; the core commercial transfection reagent business and therapeutic research business focused on nucleic acid delivery systems, and has moved from 4 to 42 employees. In partnership with its private equity investors, Polyplus has part funded its therapeutic research with revenue from its commercial transfection reagent sales, funding and loans, and has successfully raised a total of 7,8M Euros in venture funding since 2001.
The most recent funding round of 2.5 M Euros which closed in December 2010, is driving the acceleration of Polyplus’ pre-clinical study programs with the hire of ten additional scientists and the expansion of Polyplus’ laboratory and office facilities in Illkirch (France). Polyplus-transfection is a specialist of in-vivo intracellular nucleic acid transfer, and is currently conducting two main research programs dedicated to development of RNA interference-based therapeutics: STICKY SIRNA and RNAPLUS. Since 2001, the scientific team of the company has authored more than 20 scientific papers and has significantly expanded the companies IP estate in the field of nucleic acid delivery.
“Ten years is a significant milestone for every company. Polyplus-transfection has clearly proven the sustainability of its business model and now serves thousands of customers worldwide with quality products, while continuing to invest in the build out of a world class research and discovery organisation,” says Mark Bloomfield, C.E.O. of Polyplus-transfection. “Moreover, Polyplus continues to benefit from a close and valued relationship with its institutional investors who have provided the funding, support and guidance needs to bring our STICKY SIRNA and SIRNAPLUS delivery technologies into pre-clinical development.”
“The latest results from our preclinical studies in lung metastatic cancer and prostate cancer models show that STICKY SIRNA is effective in inhibiting both the cell cycle as well as chemotherapy resistance resulting in significantly reduced tumor growth and increase mice survival when administered in combination with widely used chemotherapy drugs such as Cisplatin,” says Dr. Patrick Erbacher CSO at Polyplus-transfection. “Further, based on this preclinical data we are now seeking partners to take STICKY SIRNA in to clinical trials as a powerful tool for antitumor therapy.”
Polyplus-transfection and ExcellGene enter into a supply agreement for PEI-based transfection reagents
Strasbourg, France – May 11, 2011– Polyplus-transfection SA, a privately-held company developing innovative technologies for molecular and cellular biology, announced today that ExcellGene SA, a privately held company providing rapid and low-cost solutions for protein manufacturing and process development based on mammalian cells to the Pharma/Biotech industry, has signed an extended supply agreement for Polyplus-transfection polyethylenimine (PEI) based transfection reagents.
Polyplus-transfection will supply ExcellGene with batches of high quality linear PEI transfection reagent which is specifically formulated and subject to appropriate quality controls (transfection activity and microbiological tests) that ensure reliable, safe and reproducible protein production in medium to large scale. In addition, by purchasing PEI from Polyplus-transfection, ExcellGene benefits from an implied license regarding Polyplus’ intellectual property rights for the use of PEI in transient and stable transfection.
“We are truly delighted to sign a supply agreement for PEI for transfection with ExcellGene, a recognized leader in providing process solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotech industry in the field of recombinant expression technologies,” said Mark Bloomfield, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. “This agreement demonstrates the superiority of Polyplus PEI for bioproduction and the value of our intellectual property rights and knowhow in the field of PEI-mediated nucleic acid delivery.”
“Known for our highly innovative approaches in protein production from mammalian cells we have studied extensively a large variety of DNA transfer systems and have found Polyplus polyethylenimine of highest quality and serving best our needs,” said Dr. Maria De Jesus, Chief Operating Officer of ExcellGene.
Prof. Florian Wurm, founder and interim CEO of ExcellGene added: “In our highly regulated industry, the reliable sourcing of materials for any type of manufacturing is key to the confidence we wish to establish with our clients, since the final goal of our work is the provisioning of highest value protein therapeutics to the treating doctor and the patient in need.”
Financial terms were not disclosed.
About ExcellGene SA
ExcellGene SA is an established, science and technology driven Service Provider to the Pharma/Biotech industry. It pioneered innovative technologies resolving problems of expression and manufacture of recombinant proteins from mammalian cells. ExcellGene’s technologies cover vectors, gene transfer systems, cell hosts, screening platforms for cells and processes, scale-up principles and bioreactors. Over hundred international client companies have been satisfied with ExcellGene’s services. Recently, ExcellGene received approval for API production from the Swiss Regulatory Agency for its cGMP manufacturing facility which features bioreactors of up to 250 L scale of operation.
For more information, please visit the ExcellGene web site at www.excellgene.com
Polyplus-transfection licenses Roche Glycart AG for PEI in vitro transfection applications for research purposes
Strasbourg – January 24, 2011 – Polyplus-transfection SA, a privately-held company developing innovative solutions for the delivery of nucleic acids in research, bioproduction and therapy, announced today that it has granted Roche Glycart AG, a Swiss biotechnology company fully-owned by Roche, a non exclusive license to use polyethylenimine (PEI) for in vitro transfection applications for research purposes.
By entering into this license agreement, Roche Glycart AG becomes one of Polyplus’ sub-licensees for the use of PEI-mediated transfection applications for research purposes. This license will enable Roche Glycart AG to use this world-recognized transfection reagent in its research to produce antibody-based products.
“We are delighted to sign this license agreement with Roche Glycart AG, an innovative subsidiary of Roche, focused in the research and development of new engineered antibody-based products,” said Mark Bloomfield, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. “PEI-mediated transfection is clearly an essential research tool in this field. Our business relationship with Roche Glycart AG also demonstrates the significant value of our intellectual property rights in the field of PEI-mediated nucleic acid delivery for research purposes.”
Financial terms were not disclosed.
English Version
French Version
Polyplus-transfection raises EUR 2.5 Million in Latest Funding Round
The additional funds will enable the company to expand its therapeutic research activities
Strasbourg, France, January 10, 2011 – Polyplus-transfection SA, which specializes in the development of innovative solutions for the delivery of nucleic acids in research and therapeutics, announces the completion of a funding round in which it raised EUR 2.5 million. This new round brings in new shareholders in Polyplus-transfection, AIRFI (Alsace Inter Regio Fonds d’Investissement) and Sudinnova, which have invested EUR 1 million and EUR 0.5 million, respectively. Two of the company’s existing shareholders, CIC Vizille Capital Innovation and CIC Finance, also participated in this round.
Polyplus-transfection plans to use the funding to upscale its research & development resources, specifically in the area of new compounds dedicated to siRNA delivery, which recently yielded significant and promising preclinical results in lung and prostate cancer models. These new research programs are additional to those in which Polyplus-transfection is already actively engaged in the area of RNA interference through its numerous partnerships with other biotechnology companies and university laboratories. In its joint programs with third parties, Polyplus-transfection acts as a specialist in in-vivo intracellular nucleic acid transfer, a critical step in any project to develop a therapy based on RNA interference.
The additional funding will enable Polyplus-transfection to significantly expand its science team. It is planning to recruit an additional 10 researchers and laboratory technicians in the short term, which will increase the total to 25, out of a total workforce of 40.
“We are delighted with this funding round, which will enable us to augment our research program into second-generation flagship compounds for therapeutic RNA interference – an intense field of research at this time,” said the Chairman of the board of Polyplus-transfection, Dr. Gabriel Festoc. “We have made effective, breakthrough innovations at a fundamental stage of the in-vivo delivery process, which is directly responsible for the problems encountered by other players in their attempts to transform molecules (such as siRNA or miRNA) into medicines. In addition, these funds will enable us to develop better-defined solutions and to provide many more demonstrations of their therapeutic effects.”
“Polyplus has succeeded in developing its core business, the sale of reagents, while maintaining a major R&D effort, which means it now has some very interesting results to show,” said Karine Lignel, Director of participations at CIC Vizille Capital Innovation and non-executive director of Polyplus-transfection. “This funding round will enable the company to step up its research effort and prove the value of the solutions it has developed.”
For his part, the Chairman of TechFund/AIRFI, Jean-Michel Barbier, said: “We are very enthusiastic about our investment in Polyplus-transfection, not only because its innovative therapeutic solutions are very promising but also because the company, with its two-tier business model, benefits from growing reagent sales, which have brought it close to break-even despite substantial R&D investments that absorb close to 50% of its revenues.”
Following the completion of this funding round, AIRFI and Sudinnova join the ranks of Polyplus-infection’s shareholders, alongside the company’s historic investors – CIC Vizille Capital Innovation, CIC Finance and Promelys Participations.
About CIC Vizille Capital Innovation – www.banquedevizille.fr
CIC – Vizille Capital Innovation is the venture capital subsidiary of the CIC – Banque de Vizille Group. Its objective is to invest in promising technology companies in their early stages of development with a high growth potential in dynamic sectors such as information technologies, telecommunications, electronics, life sciences, new materials, and the environment. CIC – Vizille Capital Innovation’s policy is aimed at providing assistance over time (5-7 years) to high-tech start-ups, which will ultimately lead them on the right track to succeed. This involvement is achieved by working closely with the company through advices and networking, but without interfering in the day-to-day management of the company. Investment levels are suited to each case – usually between €0.5 and €3 million – and injected gradually in several phases, as development needs rise. CIC – Vizille Capital Innovation always invests jointly with other financial partners, often as lead or co-lead investor.
About Sudinnova
Sudinnova is a private equity fund belonging to the Banque de Vizille. Sudinnova invests in promising young technology companies aiming at international markets. Funding takes place at creation or development stages through seed or venture capital.
About CIC Finance – www.cicfinance.com
CIC Finance, a subsidiary of the Crédit Mutuel – CIC groupe, is present in all equity market segments through its specialized teams and business units. These include growth capital, leveraged buy-outs, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions and financial engineering. CIC Finance manages assets of EUR 1.5 billion.
About AIRFI FCPR
AIRFI FCPR is a private equity fund created in 2005 to stimulate economic activity in the Alsace region of France. It was formed on the initiative of the Alsace Region and the Caisse des Dépôts (CDC Entreprises) in partnership with the Caisse d’Epargne d’Alsace, the Banque Populaire d’Alsace and the Landesbank Spar. With its fund of EUR 13.8 million, AIRFI has invested in ten small and medium enterprises in Alsace with a view to development, the promotion of innovation and helping ensure good returns from technological or commercial assets. In general, AIRFI takes a minority stake alongside other financial investors. AIRFI is managed by TechFund Management, based in Paris. TechFund Management relies on the AIRFI Conseil consulting team based in Illkirch, Alsace, for its local activities.
Généthon to use Polyplus-transfection’s jetPEI(TM) transfection reagent for producing viral vectors
Strasbourg, September 8, 2010 – Polyplus-transfection SA, which specializes in the development of innovative solutions for cellular and molecular biology research, announced today that Généthon, a not-for-profit biotherapy laboratory run by the French Muscular Dystrophy Association (AFM – Association Française contre les Myopathies) and which is financed by donations raised through the annual Téléthon, has selected Polyplus-transfection’s jetPEI(TM) transfection reagent for the production of its viral vectors. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Généthon’s mission is to develop gene therapies for the treatment of rare diseases, including neuromuscular pathologies such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy. The therapeutic genes identified by the Généthon researchers are delivered by modified viruses. This requires the production of large batches of viral vectors for preclinical research, followed later by batches of clinical-grade material for clinical trials.
Généthon will use the jetPEI transfection reagent in this context to produce adeno-associated viruses (AAV), or lentiviruses, by transient transfection of mammalian cells. This method is used from the research stage through to the production of clinical batches, for which the transfection reagent supplied by Polyplus is delivered with the required quality tests.
“We are delighted that a leading international research facility such as Généthon is using our jetPEI transfection reagent for the production of viral vectors for its research and clinical trials,” said Mark Bloomfield, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. “Polyethylenimine (PEI), the active ingredient of jetPEI, is the ideal reagent for the large scale transfection of animal cells under clinical conditions. Généthon’s choice of jetPEI as its transfection reagent demonstrates its confidence in the efficacy and quality of jetPEI, as well as in our exclusive rights for the use of PEI for transfection.”
“The possibility of using Polyplus-transfection’s jetPEI opens a new avenue for the large-scale production of our viral vectors for all applications where other methods are inappropriate,” said Généthon’s Product Development Director, Mehdi Gasmi. “In addition, the availability of a suitable reagent means we will be able to use jetPEI for producing clinical-grade vectors, which is a big asset in helping Généthon fulfill its mission.”
About Généthon
Généthon is a not-for-profit research centre that was created by the French Muscular Dystrophy Association (AFM) and is now funded almost exclusively by donations from France’s annual Telethon. Its goal is to deliver gene therapies to patients with rare diseases in general and neuromuscular diseases in particular. With over 200 scientists, physicians, engineers and regulatory affairs specialists, Généthon is one of the world’s leading centres for preclinical and clinical research and development in the field of gene therapy. Généthon also has a biomanufacturing platform for clinical-grade vectors and is involved in building the world’s largest facility for pre-industrial pilot production. A 5000 m2 facility will open in Evry in early 2011. www.genethon.fr
Polyplus-transfection licenses Kempbio for mammalian transient transfection technology
Strasbourg – May 18, 2010 – Polyplus-transfection SA, a privately-held company developing innovative solutions for molecular and cellular biology, announced today that Kempbio, Inc., a company dedicated to providing high quality bioservices to the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industry, has signed a license agreement to use polyethylenimine (PEI) for the transfection of cells used for the production of recombinant proteins.
By signing this license, Kempbio becomes one of Polyplus’ sub-licensees for the use of PEI technology for the expression of proteins on milligram and gram scales using the human cell line HEK-293 and other mammalian host cells. The production of recombinant proteins in human cell lines results in authentic human post-translational processing providing advantages for the stability and biological activity of proteins useful in the development of human therapeutics and diagnostic reagents.
“We are truly delighted to sign this license agreement with Kempbio, a company offering quality cell culture and protein expression services,” said Mark Bloomfield, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. “PEI is clearly the reagent of choice for research into large-scale mammalian transient transfection, and this agreement allows Kempbio to use PEI for its transfection services offering. Our business relationship with Kembio also demonstrates the significant value of our intellectual property rights in the field of PEI mediated nucleic acid delivery.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
About Kempbio, Inc. Kempbio, Inc. is a new company with a solid foundation in the bioservices industry. Our scientists have been successfully developing processes and expressing proteins for biotechnology and biopharmaceutical research programs for over 15 years. Our expertise in mammalian cell culture and the baculovirus expression system ensure optimal results for your expression project. Kempbio, Inc. is focused on technologies that we have mastered and we offer high-quality services to meet your research needs. www.kempbioinc.com
For additional information please contact Kempbio at: sales@kempbioinc.com
Polyplus-transfection SA appoints Mark Bloomfield as CEO
Bloomfield brings broad-based experience in commercial leadership roles with global corporations and proven business skills
Strasbourg, April 30, 2010 – Polyplus-transfection SA, the privately-held company developing innovative solutions for molecular and cellular biology, today announced that its board has appointed Mark Bloomfield as CEO. Mark Bloomfield replaces Frédéric Perraud who continues with Polyplus as COO and Deputy CEO. This appointment takes place as Polyplus plans for accelerated revenue growth driven by the launch of new reagents and solutions for cell transfection applications, the commercialization of ZNA (TM) technology via licensing agreements with Sigma-Aldrich and Metabion as well as geographical sales channel expansion with partners in the United States and major European and Asian markets.
Mark Bloomfield, 51, with a background in chemistry, joins Polyplus-transfection after more than 15 years in senior sales, commercial leadership and business management positions with global companies in the biotechnology tools and analytical instruments space. Mark held a number of sales, sales management and business development roles with Hewlett-Packard, Agilent Technologies (Agilent spun out of HP), the Scientific Instruments Division of Thermo Electron (now Thermo Fisher Scientific) to the position of Division Vice-President Europe for Applied Biosystems’ Molecular & Cell Biology Business Unit.
“Polyplus has an outstanding track record in developing and commercializing innovative solutions for cell and molecular biologists and in providing them with both high quality products and with excellent technical support,” said Bloomfield. “I am delighted to be joining Polyplus and very much looking forward to using my business experience with the company’s team of scientists, marketers and sales professionals to continue and accelerate its growth.”
Mark Bloomfield will attend the 2010 BIO International Convention in Chicago, USA, May 3-6, Booth 3712, France Pavilion.
Polyplus-transfection licenses ZNA (TM) oligonucleotide technology to metabion
ZNA technology provides for increased affinity for nucleic acids
Strasbourg, France, March 2, 2010–Polyplus-transfection SA, a company developing innovative solutions for molecular and cellular biology, announced today that metabion GmbH, a company specialized in custom synthesis of biopolymers, has signed a non-exclusive agreement to manufacture and commercialize Polyplus-transfection’s Zip Nucleic Acid (ZNA (TM)) oligonucleotides, a new technology that increases affinity for nucleic acids. Under the terms of the license, metabion GmbH has acquired rights to manufacture and commercialize custom ZNA oligonucleotides for research and in vitro diagnostic applications. metabion GmbH will begin commercialization on March 22nd, 2010.
Zip Nucleic Acids (ZNA (TM)) are novel modified oligonucleotides that offer increased affinity for nucleic acids without reducing specificity. This brings several advantages: ZNAs improve the performance of molecular hybridization techniques such as PCR assays when used as primers or probes, ZNAs also increase the sensitivity of tests and the detection of mutations, in addition, ZNAs’ performance compares favourably with the best modified oligonucleotides available in the market today, further, ZNAs have the distinct advantage of being easy to design and cost effective to produce.
“We are truly delighted to sign this agreement with metabion, a well-established dynamic oligonucleotide company in Europe,” said Mark Bloomfield, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. “This licensing agreement will enable more members of the life science community to access our innovative ZNA technology.”
“In line with our approach to intelligently and deliberately expand our oligonucleotide custom synthesis portfolio to bring ever increasing value to our customers, we see great potential for ZNA (TM) modified oligonucleotides due to the inherent (chemical) advantages they offer for state-of-the-art molecular biological applications,” said Dr. Regina Bichlmaier, CEO at metabion. “Combining our own and our customers´ expertise, this new technology will contribute to increase R&D flexibility and progress.”
About ZNA (TM)
ZNA (TM) (Zip Nucleic Acids) are oligocation-oligonucleotide conjugates that demonstrate an increased affinity for their complementary sequence without reduction in specificity. Increased affinity derives from the molecules’ cationic moieties (functional groups), which reduce the charge repulsion between the two nucleic acid strands. Thanks to the non-directive nature of the electrostatic interactions, this affinity gain is independent of the base sequence and is therefore predictable, thus making the design of ZNAs extremely easy. ZNAs are produced using a standard oligonucleotide synthesizer allowing fast, cost effective production as well as the ability to add further useful modifications such as fluorescent markers.
http://www.polyplus-transfection.com/technologies/zna-modified-oligonucleotide/
ZNA is a trademark of Polyplus-transfection.
About Polyplus-transfection
Polyplus-transfection SA is a biotechnology company researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative solutions for scientists working in molecular and cell biology. Located close to the city and University of Strasbourg in Eastern France, the company has been producing and selling its proprietary range of transfection reagents and technologies since 2001. The multidisciplinary Polyplus R&D team includes chemists, molecular and cellular biologists. Polyplus-transfection recently extended its product offering to molecular biologists with the launch and commercialization of ZNA (TM) oligonucleotides. The company holds a broad portfolio of patents and licenses in the fields of nucleic acid delivery and modified oligonucleotides. Polyplus is an ISO 9001 accredited company. For more information, please visit our web site at:
http://www.polyplus-transfection.com/
About metabion
metabion is one of the globally leading suppliers of custom nucleic acids renowned for its focus on reliable supplies of consistently high quality products and services. Founded in 1997 in Munich/Martinsried, metabion´s popularity rapidly spread all over Europe and beyond from its home base Germany as a consequence of its successful translation of high quality standards into daily practice. metabion´s core business is the production of synthetic DNA and RNA oligonucleotides according to customers´ needs. Academic, government, and commercial scientists in the field of life sciences value metabion´s approach of paying individual and dedicated attention to each and every order, problem, or request for the sake of achieving best results. Never compromising on quality while scaling up daily output due to the rapidly growing customer base and demands has been and is key to metabion´s success story being realized by the creative, innovative, ambitious and healthy spirit of its employees and customers.
http://www.metabion.com/home/index.php
Polyplus-transfection raises EUR 1.2 million through an issue of convertible bonds
New money will fund the company’s RNAplus research program and strengthen its human and material resources
Strasbourg, December 9 2009 – Polyplus-transfection, a company specialized in the research, development and commercialization of innovative reagents for the transfer of biomolecules, has completed a new funding round in which it raised EUR 1.2 million . The funding took the form of an issue of convertible bonds and was led by existing investor CIC-Vizille Capital Innovation, with the participation of the company’s two other historic shareholders, Avenir Finance Gestion and CIC Finance-CIC Investissement Alsace.
These funds will be assigned primarily to the RNAplus research program, which has been approved by the « Innovations Thérapeutiques » competitivity cluster. The objective of the RNAplus project is to generate new oligonucleotides capable of silencing the expression of a target gene through RNA interference without the use of a delivery reagent. Polyplus-transfection will also reinforce its human resources with a new CEO and a Business Development Manager in the United States, its leading market (40 percent of sales). In addition, the funding will allow Polyplus to push ahead its program for exploiting ZNA (Zip Nucleic Acids) oligonucleotides and to defend the company’s intellectual property, especially its rights to the use of polyehtylenimine (PEI) for bioproduction purposes.
“We are delighted that all our existing shareholders have renewed their confidence in the company and its technologies,” said Dr. Gabriel Festoc, Chairman of the Board of Polyplus-transfection. “Thanks to this funding, we shall be able to reach a new stage in the development of Polyplus, after almost doubling our consolidated revenues to EUR 2.6 million in 2009, and in particular to strengthen our research team for supporting our growth and investing in our key RNAplus program.”
For her part, the Investment Director of CIC-Vizille Capital Innovation, Karine Lignel, said: “We have supported Polyplus since 2004 and we are delighted to be accompanying it in this new step, which is the result of a true and ambitious strategic view. Its capacity to develop and commercialize very promising new technologies was a decisive factor in the investors’ decision. The company owns both solid research expertise and a broad range of products available internationally. The license agreement that Polyplus signed with Sigma-Aldrich last month for the marketing of its ZNA-modified oligonucleotides is an illustration of that.”
Polyplus-transfection is a biotechnology company developing and marketing innovative solutions for transfection and therapies based on nucleic acid delivery. Based in Strasbourg, France, the company has been selling its transfection reagents since 2001. The multidisciplinary Polyplus R&D team includes chemists, molecular and cellular biologists. Polyplus-transfection has extended its field of expertise to molecular biology reagents with the development of ZNA(TM) oligonucleotides. The company has numerous patents pending and licenses in the fields of nucleic acid delivery and modified oligonucleotides.
Sigma-Aldrich Signs License Agreement With Polyplus-Transfection to Offer Novel ZNA(TM) Oligonucleotides
Commercialization of ZNA technology provides for increased affinity for nucleic acids
St. Louis, MO, USA, Nov. 03, 2009/PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — Sigma-Aldrich (NASDAQ: SIAL) today announced a worldwide licensing agreement with Polyplus-transfection (Strasbourg, France) to manufacture and commercialize Zip Nucleic Acid (ZNA(TM)*) oligonucleotides, a new technology that provides solutions for increased affinity for nucleic acids. Under the terms of the license, Sigma-Aldrich has rights to manufacture and commercialize ZNA oligonucleotides for all research applications. Sigma-Aldrich is the first company to offer ZNA as custom DNA and RNA oligonucleotides to the life science community.
ZNA are oligonucleotides with attached cationic units. They offer significant value for a variety of applications in research and diagnostics applications. Research applications include PCR probes, PCR primers, in-vitro micro RNA detection and inhibition and siRNA. The addition of cationic residues to oligonuleotides increases their sensitivity and their ability to detect mutations, while remaining both easy to design and cost effective. ZNA also offers an increased affinity for nucleic acids without losing selectivity, improving performance in hybridization techniques.
“Sigma offers the largest portfolio of modifications and labels for oligonucleotides. We consider ZNA an important addition to our portfolio. The increased performances seen for ZNA oligonucleotides offer advantages for our customers and we look forward to making this technology available to our global customer base, “commented Theresa S. Creasey, Ph.D., Vice President of Sigma(R) Custom Products, Sigma-Aldrich.
Frédéric Perraud, CEO of Polyplus-transfection, added: “We are very proud to collaborate with a leading life science company such as Sigma-Aldrich. This major agreement gives access to our ZNA technology to scientists worldwide and allows Polyplus to capitalize on its nucleic acid delivery research towards innovative applications in molecular biology.”
Sigma-Aldrich offers a comprehensive collection of customized oligonucleotide services, including DNA oligos, DNA probes, RNA, siRNA oligos and peptide synthesis. For more information on ZNA from Sigma-Aldrich visit http://www.sigma.com/znaoligos
*About ZNA™
ZNA™ (Zip Nucleic Acids) are oligocation-oligonucleotide conjugates that have an increased affinity for their complementary sequence without losing selectivity. This affinity increase is due to the cationic moieties, which reduces the charge repulsion between the two strands of nucleic acid. Thanks to the non-directive nature of electrostatic interactions, this affinity gain is independent of the base sequence and hence predictable, thus making the design of ZNA extremely easy. ZNA are made with a standard oligonucleotide synthesizer allowing fast, cost effective production as well as the ability to add other modifications such as fluorescent markers.
About Sigma-Aldrich
Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technolgy company. Its biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of desease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. Sigma-Aldrich 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 37 countries and has 8,000 employees providing excellent service worldwide. Sigma-Aldrich is commited to Accelerating Customer Success through Innovation and Leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service.
About Polyplus-transfection
Polyplus-transfection is a research-focused company developing and marketing innovative solutions for transfection and therapies based on nucleic acid delivery. Based in Strasbourg, France, the company has been selling its transfection reagents since 2001. The multidisciplinary Polyplus R&D team includes chemists, molecular and cellular biologists. Polyplus-transfection has extended its field of expertise to molecular biology reagents with the development of ZNA(TM) oligonucleotides. The company has numerous patents pending and licenses in the fields of nucleic acid delivery and modified oligonucleotides.
Cautionary Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements relating to future strategic actions and initiatives and similar intentions and beliefs and other statements regarding the Companies’ expectations, 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.
Sigma-Aldrich and Sigma are trademarks of Sigma-Aldrich Biotechnology L.P. and Sigma-Aldrich Co.
ZNA is a trademark of Polyplus-transfection.
SOURCE Sigma-Aldrich
Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
French Version
The SHIP-In R&D project revealed, a world-class project for French Research supported by the Alsace BioValley Cluster
Strasbourg, October 8th, 2009 – The SHIP-In research-and-development project has a single goal: developing new and innovative cellular systems for the biopharmaceutical industry. It received the label of the Alsace BioValley cluster in Alsace, France, in November 2008 and is co-sponsored by France’s Cancer Bio Santé and Medicen research poles.
The pharmaceutical industry’s development of new therapeutic molecules requires the development and utilization of experimental cellular models that are both efficient and reliable. For a long time, the only possibility was to use stem cells extracted from human embryos. Apart from the difficulty of ensuring their availability, the use of such cells is also circumscribed by stringent ethical and regulatory constraints, which considerably hamper and slow the discovery of new medicines.
Today, a new scientific approach offers an alternative to the use of embryonic stem cells, which is to start with adult human cells and reprogram them as multi-purpose cells.
The SHIP-In project consists in optimizing this new technology to cater for the demands of the biopharmaceutical industry. The aim is to provide pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies with an unlimited supply of human cells which meet quality criteria that are not available today. Eventually, SHIP-In should facilitate the discovery of new molecules and generally speed up the therapeutic innovation process.
“SHIP-In presents a unique opportunity for participating in the development of scientific advances that have been unanimously hailed at a world level,” declared Nicolas Carboni, the Director of the Alsace BioValley cluster, a partner in the project. “Alsace BioValley is proud to have supported and endorsed a project of this importance, which can only enhance the competitiveness of French researchers on the world stage.”
SHIP-In is one of three Alsatian R&D projects to have been selected and retained by the French government following its seventh call for projects issued in September 2008. Three organizations based in Alsace are involved in the project: the biotech company Polyplus Transfection, the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), one of Europe’s leading biomedical research centers, and the Institut Charles Sadron (ICS). The SHIP-In project was selected from more than 190 that were submitted, proof that it is considered to have exceptionally strong innovative and commercial potential. The project is due to run for 36 months.
SHIP-In in detail
Total project funding: €4.4 million
Amount of state aid: €2.1 million
Sources of funding:
- Essonne Departmental Council
- Seine-Saint-Denis Departmental Council
- Ile-de-France Regional Council
- CUS
- FEDER
- FUI
- Oseo (France’s innovation and small-business promotion agency)
- Alsace Region
Project coordinator:
Vectalys
Vectalys is a biotechnology company based in Labège, in the French department of Haute-Garonne, which is developing tools for firms that are developing cellular and animal models for validating gene candidates and screening new compounds. www.vectalys.com
Project participants:
Polyplus-transfection
Based in Illkirch, near Strasbourg, Polyplus Transfection is a biotechnology company that is developing synthetic transfection reagents and is specialized in the development of reagents for the in vitro and in vivo intracellular transfer of biomolecules. www.polyplus-transfection.com/
IGBMC (Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology)
Team led by Stéphane Viville.
The IGBMC, which is also based in Illkirch and is headed by Olivier Pourquié, is specialized in the study of multi-purpose cells in mice and humans and is one of the leading biomedical research centers in Europe. It is involved in numerous projects entailing both fundamental research and clinical research. Together with France’s National Scientific Research Center (CNRS), the French Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and the University of Strasbourg, the IGBMC is leading the scientific and technological advances being made in the field of genetics, which are opening up new areas for the application of modern medicine. www.igbmc.fr
Institut Charles Sadron (ICS)
Headed by Gero Decher and based in Strasbourg, the ICS is a CNRS laboratory associated with the University of Strasbourg. It was created in 1954 for undertaking fundamental research to support the development of the nascent polymers industry.
www-ics.u-strasbg.fr
I-STEM (Institute of Stem Cells for the Treatment and Study of Monogenic Diseases)
Team led by Marc Peschanski.
Based in Evry, south of Paris, I-STEM is a research-and-development center entirely devoted to exploring the therapeutic potential of multi-purpose stem cells, with a particular emphasis on monogenic cells. www.istem.eu
Cellectis
Based in the Paris suburb of Romainville, Cellectis leads the world in the research, development and marketing of rational genome engineering technologies. www.cellectis.com
About the Alsace Biovalley(TM) cluster
The Alsace BioValley cluster brings together and encourages the development and growth of public and private entities based in Alsace, France, which are involved in life sciences and healthcare. The Alsace BioValley cluster includes the main aid agencies which offer simplified and effective access to all the region’s services and sources of state aid.
Among Alsace BioValley’s missions are:
* Helping industry in Alsace to obtain finance and the services of a body designated by the French government as a world-class competitive pole of development;
* Making the Alsace region even more attractive by accelerating the connections between industry, research and regional and national aid agencies;
* Offering different products and services to companies and laboratories in the area, including help with projects, the search for partners, company incubators, enterprise creation, international expansion, economic intelligence, communication tools, and scientific and market information
* Ensuring that the region has a world-class infrastructure in place, including specialized buildings, scientific service platforms, logistics, and shared services
* Offering an entry point to BioValley, a tri-national network of excellence encompassing the Alsace region in France, the Basel region in Switzerland and the Fribourg region in Germany.
Situated as it is in the heart of Europe and hosting 200 companies, 60 laboratories and 15,000 employees, Alsace BioValley believes it is a real catalyst and one of the largest European clusters for life sciences and healthcare.
MORE INFORMATION :
ANDREW LLOYD & ASSOCIATES
Marie Laure Melchior
email: marie-laure@ala.com
Tel. +33-1 56 54 07 00
Polyplus-transfection launches versatile and powerful transfection reagent for DNA and siRNA
jetPRIME (TM) expands rich catalogue of innovative reagents
Strasbourg, France, May 11th, 2009 – Polyplus-transfection, a company specialized in research, development and marketing of innovative reagents for transfection and nucleic acid-based therapies, today announced the launch of jetPRIME (TM), a new versatile and powerful reagent for DNA and siRNA transfection.
jetPRIME (TM) brings pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers a number of advantages over most competitive offerings in the marketplace for day-to-day transfection experiments. The versatile reagent may be used for DNA as well as siRNA transfection in order to conduct transient gene expression studies and gene silencing by RNA interference. jetPRIME™ is very efficient regardless of the nucleic acid delivered and gentle to cells because it uses smaller amounts of both nucleic acid and reagent compared to most reagents on the market. Furthermore, jetPRIME™ is adapted to co-transfection of DNA and siRNA.
“Today’s announcement of jetPRIME™ brings a significant new extension to our range and demonstrates Polyplus-transfection’s ability to develop powerful transfection reagents,” said Frédéric Perraud, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. “It also shows our commitment to continually improve our core business – the development of innovative solutions for transfection and therapeutic nucleic acid delivery.”
Note to editors
Gene transfection consists in introducing a plasmid into the nucleus of a cell to produce a protein that may affect the cell. Understanding gene function potentially leads to the development of therapeutic strategies against diseases. Transient gene transfection is also a means of producing viruses or recombinant proteins used in therapy.
In contrast, siRNA transfection only requires delivery of siRNA into the cytoplasm of a cell to block gene expression. The ability to silence a gene permits the understanding of its function, and helps learning about mechanisms of disease caused by the misregulation of specific genes.
Polyplus-transfection announces the development of “ZNA™”, a new class of modified oligonucleotides
ZNA™, new molecular biology tools for research and diagnostics extend Polyplus offering, and will be presented at the Advances in qPCR conference in Stockholm, September 17-18
Strasbourg, September 15, 2008 – Polyplus-transfection, a company specialized in the research, development and marketing of innovative reagents for transfection and RNA interference (RNAi), announces today that it has developed a new class of cationic oligonucleotides. These are called “ZNA™” and have a promising potential in molecular biology. Polyplus owns the intellectual property.
Polyplus has recently established proof of concept showing that ZNA™ used as detection probes improve PCR technology performance. In particular, ZNA™ increase the sensitivity of tests and the ability to detect mutations. As well as presenting a similar efficacy to the best modified oligonucleotides on the market, ZNA™ possess major advantages compared to competing products. They are easy to design and will cost less to produce.
ZNA™ offer an increased affinity for nucleic acids without losing selectivity and therefore will improve the performance of other molecular hybridisation techniques such as in situ hybridisation and microarrays. They could also be used for in vitro detection of micro-RNAs, a new class of intracellular effectors. This means that ZNA™ are likely to become powerful and reliable tools in research and diagnostics.
“Polyplus is extending its activities from transfection reagents to molecular biology tools for research and diagnostics,” said Joëlle Bloch, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. “Our next step will be to market ZNA™ via a network of firms specialized in this field. We are also actively seeking partners to help us develop a range of applications for ZNA™.”
Polyplus-transfection will present its first results in a talk entitled “ZNA™: New High-Affinity Synthetic Oligonucleotides as Powerful Tools for PCR” at the international Advances in qPCR conference taking place in Stockholm Sweden, September 17-18 2008.
About “ZNA™”
ZNA™ are oligocation-oligonucleotide conjugates which have an increased affinity for their complementary sequence without losing selectivity. This affinity increase is due to the oligocationic part which reduces the charge repulsion between the two strands of nucleic acid. Because of the non-directive nature of electrostatic interactions, this affinity gain is independent of the base sequence and is therefore predictable, thus making the design of ZNA™ extremely easy.
ZNA™ are made with a standard oligonucleotide synthesizer allowing fast, cost-effective production as well as the ability to add other modifications such as fluorescent markers.
Senesco Signs A Supply Agreement For Polyplus-transfection’s Delivery System
New Brunswick, N.J, USA, July 3, 2008 - Senesco Technologies, Inc. ( »Senesco » or the « Company ») (AMEX:SNT) announced today that it has contracted with Polyplus-transfection (Illkirch, France) to supply Polyplus’s « in vivo-jetPEI » for systemic delivery of Senesco’s combination therapy of siRNA against Factor 5A and a plasmid of the Factor 5A gene.
Senesco has previously reported positive preclinical in vivo results using its combination siRNA and plasmid delivered with « in vivo-jetPEI » against subcutaneous multiple myeloma tumors in immunodeficient mice.
« This supply agreement will help Senesco move toward the necessary preclinical toxicology study and ultimately the planned clinical trial targeting multiple myeloma, » commented Bruce Galton, Senesco’s President and CEO. « Polyplus’ PEI technology is already being used in clinical oncology trials by other companies and we look forward to working with them and using their technology to deliver our Factor 5A technology. »
« We are proud that Senesco has chosen our delivery system targeting multiple myeloma and that we have an agreement to supply the company according to this agreement » said Joëlle Bloch, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. « We are delighted that our « in vivo-jetPEI » will be used as delivery vehicle for a combination of siRNA and plasmid DNA in this therapeutic approach. »
About Senesco Technologies, Inc.
Senesco Technologies, Inc. is a U.S. biotechnology company, headquartered in New Brunswick, NJ, USA. Senesco has initiated preclinical research to trigger or delay cell death in mammals (apoptosis) to determine if the technology is applicable in human medicine. Accelerating apoptosis may have applications to development of cancer treatments. Delaying apoptosis may have applications to certain inflammatory and ischemic diseases.
Senesco takes its name from the scientific term for the aging of plant cells: senescence. Delaying cell breakdown in plants extends freshness after harvesting, while increasing crop yields, plant size and resistance to environmental stress. The Company believes that its technology can be used to develop superior strains of crops without any modification other than delaying natural plant senescence. Senesco has partnered with leading-edge companies engaged in agricultural biotechnology and earns research and development fees for applying its gene-regulating platform technology to enhance its partners’ products.
Certain statements included in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from such statements expressed or implied herein as a result of a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: the Company’s ability to raise capital to fund its research and development efforts; the development of the Company’s gene technology; the approval of the Company’s patent applications; the successful implementation of the Company’s research and development programs and joint ventures; the success of the Company’s license agreements; the acceptance by the market of the Company’s products; success of the Company’s preliminary studies and preclinical research; competition and the timing of projects and trends in future operating performance, our ability to maintain our continued listing standards for the next 12 months, as well as other factors expressed from time to time in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the « SEC »). As a result, this press release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s periodic filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
The Norwegian company siRNAsense has chosen to collaborate with the French company Polyplus-transfection for delivery of their first drug candidate.
Oslo, Norway June 13, 2008 - siRNAsense today announces that the company has chosen to use Polyplus-transfection’s « in vivo-jetPEI » delivery system for the systemic delivery of their drug candidate « siRNA targeting Tissue Factor » for treatment of melanoma metastasis. siRNAsense selected Polyplus´ delivery system after experimental validation of several potential delivery systems.
« We have chosen the Polyplus delivery system because we found it to be well suited for systemic delivery of our drug candidate against melanoma metastasis. This is a very important step for siRNAsense. Following encouraging efficacy data in a mouse model of metastasis, we are now proceeding with preclinical studies in mice and primates to further develop our drug candidate using Polyplus´ delivery system », says Hanne Mette Kristensen, CEO of siRNAsense.
siRNA is short for « small interfering RNA » and represents a major breakthrough in biology, whose potential therapeutic impact was recognized by the award of the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2006. siRNAsense’s drug candidate is a synthetic siRNA that interferes with metastasis of melanoma, primarily by inhibiting circulating cancer cells’ ability to attach to other cell membranes. For the drug to be efficient, it must be formulated in a vehicle which ensures delivery to the cancer cells. This is where Polyplus-transfection’s technology has proven to be effective.
« We are delighted that siRNAsense has chosen our delivery system. We look forward to future collaboration with siRNAsense, » said Joëlle Bloch, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. « It is an advantage for our « in vivo-jetPEI » to be used as delivery reagent for a new therapeutic target: the treatment of melanoma metastasis. »
About siRNAsense
Find and fight the cause, not the symptoms.
siRNAsense AS is an exciting biotechnology company based on RNA interference research performed at The Biotechnology Centre of Oslo. The discovery of RNA interference is the basis for development of a new class of drugs targeting serious diseases. siRNAsense intends to become a significant player of biomedical innovation and early phase drug discovery and development within the field of RNA interference. The company will achieve this through research and development of drug candidates initially within the oncology area.
siRNAsense’s first drug candidate is « siRNA targeting Tissue Factor ». The drug candidate interferes with metastasis in cancer cells by blocking the cancer cells’ ability to attach to other cell membranes. Over 90 per cent of cancer deaths are caused by metastasis. siRNAsense will now initiate clinical phase enabling studies with the lead drug candidate.
The company recently received a major grant from the Research Council of Norway to develop the drug candidate, and has also previously received support from the Council and the Norwegian Cancer Society. siRNAsense is a member of Oslo Cancer Cluster (OCC), a cluster comprising of 44 members with a total of 40 projects in the clinical pipeline. The company continues to enjoy close research collaboration with the Biotechnology Centre of Oslo.
siRNAsense has a good dialogue with several of the major pharma companies, and receives a lot of interest in its work. The business model is to license out from phase I/II clinical studies.
For more information visit http://www.sirnasense.com
Polyplus-transfection unveils a new technology that improves intracellular delivery of small interfering RNAs in vivo and opens the way to new therapeutic possibilities
The « STICKY SIRNA »™ technology is already being tested in vivo by academic laboratories and biotech companies
Strasbourg, April 24th, 2008 - Polyplus-transfection, a company specialized in research, development and commercialization of innovative reagents for delivery of biomolecules, today announces the development of a new technology that improves in vivo delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) when they are associated with a cationic polymer. This technology is based on a new class of small interfering RNAs the company has developed: « STICKY SIRNA« ™ (ssiRNAs™).
The technology involves extending the opposite ends of interfering RNAs with short complementary A(5-8)/T(5-8) 3′ sequences that are able to form concatemers in the presence of a cationic polymer such as in vivo-jetPEI™ (also developed by Polyplus-transfection) and thus form complexes as stable as with genes. With this new technology, small interfering RNAs stay connected to their delivery reagent during the whole journey to the target cells, and induce the RNA interference mechanism. This innovation is applicable to therapeutic siRNAs, and a wide variety of pathologies could benefit from it such as cancers, allergies and viral diseases.
Up to now, the market for the delivery of therapeutic siRNAs has been dominated by the use of cationic lipids. Thanks to this ssiRNA™ technology, cationic polymers such as in vivo-jetPEI™ have now entered the market with clear advantages in specific areas.
« We are proud of having developed this new technology, for which we have filed a broad patent application as well as a trademark application, » said the C.E.O. of Polyplus-transfection, » Joëlle Bloch. « Within a few months, we have succeeded in offering our customers two major therapeutic advances: a GMP-compliant delivery reagent, in vivo-jetPEI™, and a new means of delivering siRNAs associated with this reagent. Our customers have already shown a keen interest in these two developments, and ssiRNAs™ are starting to be tested in vivo by several academic laboratories and biotechnology companies. »
Polyplus-transfection’s new technology was outlined in an article published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America in October 2007 under the title « Sticky overhangs enhance siRNA-mediated gene silencing », volume 104, pages 16,050-16,055, Bolcato-Bellemin et al.
RNA interference (RNAi)
RNA interference is a natural mechanism that operates in cells and makes it possible to selectively silencing or regulating specific gene expression. The mechanism of RNA interference is a major discovery in biology, whose potential therapeutic impact was recognized by the award of the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2006. As many diseases are the result of the inappropriate activity of some genes, the ability to control these genes selectively through RNA interference has speeded up the understanding of the roles of these genes and their interrelations.
Since then, it has been shown that RNA interference could be a means of treating a large number of diseases. In effect, RNA interference can be induced by small, double-stranded RNA molecules called small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Delivering these chemically synthesized molecules into cells is one of the means of activating RNA interference for therapeutic purposes, by targeting the messenger RNA of a gene to be knocked down. This process has the effect of stopping the production of a protein encoded by the target gene.
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