Orgenesis, ExcellaBio Announce Breakthrough Manufacturing Process for Bioxomes

On March 31, 2020, Orgenesis, a biotech company specializing in cell and gene therapies, announced that it has developed a new patented manufacturing process for Bioxomes, synthetic exosomes, also known as extracellular vesicles (EVs). The process was developed through a collaboration and licensing agreement with ExcellaBio, a contract research organization.

EVs, small vesicles that transfer DNA, RNA, and proteins to other cells, can alter the function of targeted cells. They are believed to provide the same therapeutic benefit of cells without the risks and difficulties of administering entire cells to patients. EV production has been, up until now, based on conventional ultracentrifugation or ultrafiltration, both of which are complex and costly techniques. 

Orgenesis and ExcellaBio developed Bioxomes, which are engineered and produced through a patented method as membrane nanoparticles isolated from cell cultures of various sources. The companies have now demonstrated the optimization and scale up of Bioxomes while generating consistent and repeatable results, including uniform particles sizes.

These Bioxomes have demonstrated the ability to fuse with cell membranes and deliver an intracellular cargo, in a similar manner to natural exosomes/EVs, Orgenesis announced in a company press release. Bioxomes can be sourced effectively from various cell cultures, including mesenchymal stem cells, immortalized cells, immune cells, and epithelial cells. When loaded with predesignated genetic material, proteins, signaling molecules, and drugs, Bioxomes can carry selected therapeutic cargo inside the target cells, mimicking the natural membrane fusion capacity of EVs.

“Orgenesis and ExcellaBio developing this new process represents a true breakthrough in the field of cell and gene therapy. It provides the ability to produce robust yields in only a few steps. We believe this process may unlock the potential for large-scale production of Bioxomes for a variety of therapeutic applications based on the natural intracellular trafficking abilities of exosomes/EVs. In particular, we are aiming to develop promising new therapies, where we can deliver intracellular antiviral payloads, among dozens of other potential cell and gene therapies,” said Vered Caplan, CEO of Orgenesis, in the press release.

Source: Orgenesis