OxGene and the Native Antigen Company, both based in Oxford, UK, are collaborating to scale up production of reagents for SARS-CoV-2 by combining OxGene’s proprietary adenoviral protein machine technology with the Native Antigen Company’s antigen development expertise. Their shared goal is to deliver high-purity, recombinant proteins for the development of diagnostics and vaccines.
The Native Antigen Company was one of the first recognized suppliers of SARS-CoV-2 antigens, in February 2020. OxGene’s protein machine technology allows for the scalable production of viral proteins in mammalian cells using the company’s proprietary adenoviral expression vector. Through genetic modification, the adenovirus is ‘tricked’ into making SARS-CoV-2 proteins rather than its own, thereby harnessing the innate power of highly scalable viral protein production.
“We are committed to developing the highest-quality reagents in rapid response to emerging epidemic diseases,” says Andy Lane, PhD, commercial director of the Native Antigen Company. “Since the start of the crisis, the demand for our covid-19 antigens has increased significantly, and by scaling up production of these vital reagents in collaboration with OxGene, we hope to be able to support more researchers in their critical work developing diagnostics and vaccines.”
For more information, visit OxGene and the Native Antigen Company.
Featured image: Colorized scanning electron microphotograph of an apoptotic cell (green) infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles (orange), isolated from a patient sample. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Photo courtesy NIAID.
