Development of Trellis’ monoclonal antibody (mAb) using CMC Biologics’ proprietary CHEF1® Expression Platform and Multi-column Continuous Chromatography (MCC) Technology

CMC ICOS Biologics, Inc., a global leader in clinical and commercial manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies, coagulation factors and other therapeutic proteins, and Trellis Bioscience LLC, a private, venture-funded therapeutic antibody company, announced today they have entered into a manufacturing agreement for the process development and production of two of Trellis’ monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).

“Trellis Bioscience is developing human mAb therapies for bacterial and viral infections, and cancer indications, and we have selected CMC Biologics to work with on two of these products. One is for treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections that promises to provide superior post-infection treatment over the currently marketed mAb (palivizumab) by uniquely combining antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity. The other is a first-in-class treatment for bacterial infections that are drug-resistant due to formation of bacterial biofilms; by disrupting the biofilm, TRL1068 acts to resensitize bacteria to conventional antibiotics, with broad-spectrum activity spanning from medically important Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacterial species, inlcluding MRSA and Acinetobacter baumanni. With CMC Biologics’ demonstrated technical expertise, experience, and proprietary CHEF1® Expression System platform, we believe that we have chosen an outstanding CDMO to work with” said Stefan Ryser, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Trellis Bioscience. “In addition, through their use of Multi-column Continuous Chromatography technology, where a reduced quantity of costly chromatography resins is required in the downstream process, CMC Biologics is able to provide Trellis, a significant reduction in our development and manufacturing costs.”
“We are pleased to be working with Trellis on these two exciting monoclonal antibody products,” said Gustavo Mahler, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of CMC Biologics “With our extensive experience developing monoclonal antibody products, we are delighted to know that we will help deliver Trellis’ antibody treatment for RSV, a leading cause of lower respiratory tract disease in young children as well as their broad-spectrum biofilm disruptor human antibody for reducing the antibiotic resistance that is associated with biofilm formation.

About CMC Biologics
CMC Biologics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asahi Glass Company (AGC), is one of the leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization(CDMO) with a focus on delivering the highest standard of service to its clients, globally.   The company currently employees over 500 employees, with facilities located in Seattle, WA, Berkeley, CA and Copenhagen, Denmark.  CMC Biologics offers custom solutions for the scale-up and cGMP manufacture of protein-based therapeutics from pre-clinical to commercial production. Our integrated service offerings include cell line development, bioprocess development, formulation, analytical testing, and antibody drug development and conjugation. We are well known for our proprietary CHEF1® Expression System for mammalian production. More detailed information can be found at www.cmcbio.com

About Trellis Bioscience LLC
Trellis Bioscience is a private, venture-funded therapeutic antibody company focusing on the development of three human monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of infectious diseases, all of which are at a similar stage in drug development with expected IND filings in 2018. The Company was formed around a breakthrough discovery platform (CellSpot™)capable of isolating therapeutic grade antibodies directly from the blood cells of humans. CellSpot™ uses computerized microscopy to drastically miniaturize a multiplexed antigen binding assay capable of  screening millions of individual antibody producing B cells. In addition to developing a portfolio of human antibodies for the treatment of infectious diseases, Trellis has a portfolio of high-affinity human mAbs against cancer antigens and immune checkpoint inhibitor proteins, such as TIM-3 and KIR, all of which were isoltaed from heathly individuals.  Trellis is also engaged in studying anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) for pharmaceutical partners. Funding for the RSV and Biofilm programs has been received from US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (grants R44AI122360, R44AI120425, and SB1AI120425). More detailed information can be found at www.trellisbio.com