Agilent Technologies Joins Forces with the University of Rouen and A*STAR to Focus on Biologics

Agilent Technologies (Santa Clara, California, USA) has teamed up with the Glyco-MEV laboratory at the University of Rouen (Rouen, France) and the Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) (Singapore) to sign a memorandum of understanding to develop tools to analyse biologics and vaccines.

Agilent will join forces with the University of Rouen’s Glyco-MEV laboratory and A*STAR to develop analytical techniques to ensure that the biologics are safe and effective. BTI is developing methods of producing and analysing these biologics in animal cells while Glyco-MEV laboratory specializes in the production of those molecules in plant systems. This partnership strengthens the collaboration between BTI and Glyco-MEV laboratory. The Glyco-MEV laboratory will be Agilent’s glycomics reference site in Europe, and BTI will be its reference site in Southeast Asia.

Professor Lam Kong Peng, executive director of BTI, said, “With increasing use of biologics to treat human diseases and with more biosimilars coming to market in the next few years, it is timely for BTI to develop novel technologies that would improve the characterization and analysis of protein-based drugs. This collaboration would enhance Singapore’s reputation as a world-class destination for biologics manufacturing and R&D.”

Professor Patrice Lerouge, director of the Glyco-MEV laboratory, commented: “This collaboration will enhance our international expertise with regards to the glycan analysis and engineering of biopharmaceuticals produced in plant and microalgae cells. We also hope that such a research initiative will facilitate exchanges of lab members and PhD students between Singapore and France.”

Dr Rudolf Grimm, Agilent’s director of science and technology and manager of collaborations in the Asia Pacific region, stated: “We look forward to working with these leading organizations to drive discovery in this important field.”

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