RZPD GmbH and Protagen AG agree on license

License to Protein Production. RZPD GmbH and Protagen AG agree on license to create new libraries for protein production

Berlin/Dortmund (April 5, 2004) - The RZPD Deutsches Ressourcenzentrum für Genomforschung GmbH (German Resource Center for Genome Research), Berlin, and Protagen AG, Dortmund recently inked a license agreement covering the area of proteomics.

Worldwide efforts to decipher the human proteome, the breath-taking developments in the field of protein biochips as well as the various research activities in scientific institutes and within the private sector have resulted in a rapidly growing demand for recombinant proteins. These proteins or fragments thereof are increasingly applied for the development and manufacture of novel and innovative medicaments.

Under the terms of the agreement Protagen will provide the RZPD with its proprietary UNIclone® technology - a platform for the creation of non-redundant gene libraries. This way the company will supply the academic market with an even broader range of clones for the recombinant protein expression. The license agreement also entails the use of one of Protagen's libraries by the RZPD. The library, which contains some 11,000 clones, potentially enables the RZPD to express numerous recombinant human proteins.

In addition to this, during the co-operation up to 12 further libraries from various human, rat and murine tissues will be created. The RZPD and Protagen also offer the contract manufacture of recombinant proteins for third parties.

"We are very happy to have gained access to the UNIclone® technology. Now we are able to supply our partners in academic research with substantially increased offerings of clones for the recombinant protein production", said Martin Stock, Managing Director of the RZPD.

"We have searched some time for a renowned partner with the necessary expertise for the creation of new libraries. The RZPD can look back on long year's experience in the area and has excellent connections to the academic research market. Our partners in the life science industry sector will also benefit from this comprehensive offering", commented Dr. Christoph Hüls, CEO of Protagen AG, on the co-operation agreement.

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Protagen AG, Dortmund, is a renowned integrated proteomics technology company with expertise in proteomics, protein analytics, bioinformatics, protein biochips and cell biology. Because of the unique way in which the biological contents of biochips are presented the UNIclone® technology platform opens new perspectives for the development of protein biochips. Protagen applies its many year's experience as a highly skilled service provider for the pharmaceutical, biotechnological, diagnostic industry and academic research.

RZPD - German Resource Center for Genome Research (Deutsches Ressourcenzentrum für Genomforschung), Berlin, is the largest and most modern service centre for genomics and proteomics research in Europe. Based on one of the largest clone collections worldwide, it provides high quality research material, high throughput technology and automation solutions for academic institutions as well as for industry. The RZPD's portfolio includes clones of genomic and cDNA libraries, expression clones with full open reading frames, siRNA resources, high-density colony, DNA, and protein arrays, custom microarrays, expression profiling, Affymetrix service, high-throughput PCR amplification, and cDNA library generation. The RZPD is certified to meet the requirements and to comply with the quality standards set out by DIN EN ISO 9001:2000. 

Contact:

Protagen AG
Dr. Christoph Hüls
Emil-Figge-Str. 76 A
D-44227 Dortmund/Germany
Tel.: +49-231-974-2890
Fax: +49-231-974-2891 christoph.huels@protagen.de  www.protagen.de 

RZPD
Deutsches Ressourcenzentrum für Genomforschung GmbH
Dr. Johannes Maurer - Scientific Managing Director
Heubnerweg 6
D-14059 Berlin/Germany
Tel.: +49-30-3263-9251
Fax: +49-30-3263-9262 j.maurer@rzpd.de  

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