Polyplus-Transfection Launches the Next Generation PEI Transfection Reagent for Bioproduction

STRASBOURG, Germany, January 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

PEIpro(TM) further expands an already rich catalogue of innovative reagents

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 substantially increase 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 exceed 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, ready-to-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 with 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.

Note to editors

Gene transfection is achieved by the introduction of a plasmid into the nucleus of a living cell stimulating the cell to produce a protein. Transient gene transfection is a means of producing viruses or recombinant proteins for use in therapy. In early stage bio-drug development, biopharmaceutical and biotech companies use large-scale transient gene expression in suspension-adapted mammalian cell lines to produce milligram to gram quantities of recombinant proteins for therapeutic research. Indeed, as long as therapeutic recombinant proteins have not successfully completed Phase II and III clinical trials, transient gene transfection is more cost effective than developing stable cell lines for recombinant protein production. Transient gene transfection also permits the rapid expression of r-proteins under optimized conditions. The defacto industry standard protocol for efficient and cost effective protein production is a combination of modified HEK-293 and CHO cells transfected with a DNA/linear polyethylenimine (PEI) complex.

About Polyplus-transfection

Polyplus-transfection SA is a biotechnology company that develops, markets and sells innovative solutions for the in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo delivery of nucleic acids in research, bioproduction and therapeutics. Located close to the University of Strasbourg in Eastern France, Polyplus-transfection has been ISO 9001-certified since 2002 and supplies its proprietary range of reagents for the transfection of genes, oligonucleotides and siRNA through a worldwide distributor network. Polyplus reagents are involved in a growing number of clinical trials worldwide. In addition, Polyplus-transfection holds a broad estate of patents and licenses including original methods for therapeutic siRNA delivery. Please visit http://www.polyplus-transfection.com

Contact: Jihane Douazi - +33(0)1-71-18-10-38 - jihane@ala.com