Improving CHO Cells for Biomanufacturing

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells have been used in biomanufacturing for decades because of their robust capacity to express a range of proteins, such as therapeutic enzymes and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) at titers measured in multiple grams per liter of culture. Within the available suite of CHO cell lines, the glutamine synthetase knockout (GS-KO) selection system provides industry-leading speed to the identification of high-producing clones for use in biomanufacturing. The GS-KO selection system allows for identification of multiple-gram/L clones in a timeframe of two to three months from initial transfection, with such performance demonstrated consistently across the different providers of GS-KO CHO cells. However, industry feedback has indicated frustration with the legal and commercial restrictions imposed on access to those cells. Difficulties include restrictions on further modifying the cells, obligations regarding culture media use, constraints to which contract manufacturing organizations (CMO) can be used, and significant financial barriers associated with both upfront and downstream costs.

Horizon Discovery believes that industry should have easier access to the best manufacturing cell lines. Horizon’s GS-KO CHO SOURCE cell line is available with an unlimited use license without those prohibitive restrictions and reach-through costs. Additionally, the company allows for and actively encourages cell-line modifications to improve biomanufacturing performance. This disruptive approach to licensing has made the CHO SOURCE platform a rapidly growing and accepted option because of its combination of performance and accessibility.

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