Glenmark taps CHO cell line from Horizon Discovery

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals says it has integrated Horizon’s GS knockout CHO K1 platform into its cell line portfolio and will use it to develop future monoclonal antibodies.

After what Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said was a “stringent evaluation of the cell line,” the drugmaker has licensed Horizon Dscovery’s gene-edited Glutamine Synthetase (GS) knockout Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) K1 cell line.

According to a Glenmark spokesperson, Horizon’s CHO-based cell line demonstrated consistently impressive performance, with high levels of productivity, favorable stability profile, and transparent cell history data package.

Image: iStock/Pashalgnatov

“Horizon’s CHO cell line integrated well with the existing cell line development process, with only a few adaptations required,” this publication was told.

“We have integrated this cell line into our cell line portfolio. It will be considered in future developments of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) or MAb derived biologics,” the spokesperson added.

This includes Glenmark’s BEAT antibodies. The bispecific molecules use heavy chain heterodimerization technology based on bio-mimicry and have been validated in cancer mouse models where they have shown comparable efficacy to other bispecific antibodies.

According to the firm, BEAT antibodies offer a high production yield from a stable CHO cell line and a built-in purification system for manufacturing and have demonstrated expression yields over 2 g/l.

The GS knockout CHO K1 platform is designed to move potential biotherapeutic projects from the DNA sequence to clinical manufacturing and, according to Horizon, has been licensed to more than 50 companies.

Speaking to Bioprocess Insider last year, CEO Terry Pizzie said “Horizon is an experienced player in the gene editing space” with the cell line tech making its mark on the biomanufacturing space. He also said the firm invests heavily in its R&D to continually advance the CHO-based offering.