KBI Biopharma and Heat Biologics Form Manufacturing Pact

On Sep. 27, 2017, Pelican Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on monoclonal antibody and fusion protein-based therapies and a subsidiary of Heat Biologics, a biopharmaceutical company, entered into a manufacturing agreement with KBI Biopharma, a biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization, for current good manufacturing practices production of an antibody and a fusion protein.

The antibody, PTX-35, and the fusion protein, PTX-15, which are being developed by Pelican, have the potential to improve clinical response in combination with Heat Biologics’ Impact therapeutic platform and other immunotherapy drugs by simulating the production of antigen-specific T-cells.

Under the agreement, KBI Biopharma will offer comprehensive development and manufacturing services. Pelican expects to have the advantages of speed, productivity, stability, and flexibility over traditional approaches to cell line development.

“We selected KBI as our manufacturing partner because, based on our assessment, they have strong development capabilities, and possess the agility and flexibility to help Pelican prepare for early development of both our Phase I and II clinical trials,” said Rahul Jasuja, CEO of Pelican, in a company press release.

In May 2016, Pelican was awarded a $15.2-million grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to support these manufacturing efforts, as well as to complete a 70-patient, Phase I clinical trial incorporating one or more of these compounds.

Source: Heat Biologics