PR93396

TOKYO and SINGAPORE, Dec. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

GenScript Biotech Corporation ("GenScript", Stock Code: 1548.HK), a leading

global biotechnology company, and BioComo Incorporation, a drug discovery

venture based in Mie prefecture, Japan, today announces a strategic agreement

for joint research and development project on GenScript's cPass(TM) SARS-CoV-2

Surrogate Virus Neutralization Test (sVNT) Kit as the in vitro neutralization

assay of a BC-PIV derived SARS-Cov-2 vaccine. GenScript will be responsible for

providing cPass(TM) sVNT Kit and technical expertise for vaccine evaluation.

The two companies are committed to work together to expand sVNT utilities for

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development in Japan.

BC-PIV, an innovative non-transmissible viral vector co-developed by BioComo

and Mie University, is derived from the recombinant human parainfluenza virus

type 2 (hPIV2). BC-PIV, an intranasal vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, induced high

levels of neutralizing IgG and mucosal IgA antibodies against the spike

protein, completely protected the lungs and virtually complete protection of

the nasal turbinates against SARS-CoV-2 challenge in hamsters. The intranasal

BC-PIV vaccine can be a promising vaccine candidate to combat SARS-CoV-2

infection/transmission.

Mie University and BioComo has published this latest findings on 17th Nov 2021

on the U.S. scientific journal, iScience. The exciting results shown in the

animal model indicate the possibility of generating an effective coronavirus

nasal vaccine, to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection/transmission, a key

differentiator to existing approved vaccines. BC-PIV can be used as booster

inoculation to address the waning immunity with in-market vaccines[1]. The

inhibition assays in the research were carried out for the interaction between

SARS-CoV-2 RBD and hACE2 by using the ELISA method from SARS-CoV-2 surrogate

neutralization (cPass(TM) kit) tests (GenScript)[1]. Currently global

competition for nasal spray vaccines is intense to use as the "next-generation

vaccine."  In the near future, Mie University and Biocomo will enter the next

stage investigation to confirm quality and safety, thereafter, Phase I/II

clinical trials within one year.

Neutralizing antibodies is one of the key biomarker to determine vaccine

efficacy. cPass(TM) sVNT kit is able to detect functional neutralizing

antibodies in vaccinated and post COVID-19 infected individuals without using

the traditional laborious, time consuming and complex laboratory procedures.

The kit can be performed in most standard laboratories with a short turnaround

time (~1hr). It is also adaptable to high throughput and fully automated

testing. This makes cPass(TM) sVNT kit the ideal tool for evaluating vaccine

efficacy in high throughput setting. GenScript's cPass(TM) sVNT Kit is the

first commercially available SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Detection Kit and

has received provisional authorization by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA)

Singapore, CE-IVD marking in Europe and emergency use authorization (EUA) by

the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Masayuki Fukumura, President of BioComo, Inc., commented, "We are very pleased

to have a chance to collaborate with GenScript to accelerate SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

development. Our mission is to incubate the technology and the products of the

next generation vaccine for the treatment or prevention of infections to help

the innovation for people to live longer and healthier. Together with

GenScript, we strive to develop the novel intranasal SARS-CoV-2 corona vaccine

and make every effort to deliver this vaccine to everyone as promptly as

possible.

"We are delighted to collaborate with BioComo to accelerate the SARS-CoV-2

vaccine development. GenScript is dedicated to provide different cutting-edge

products and apply proprietary technology in various fields to accelerate

global research and development efforts. With BioComo's extensive experiences

and proven track records of vaccines development and clinical studies, our

partnership will allow us to work with clients' world-class experts and

leverage our integrated services in life sciences research. We hope that the

BC-PIV SARS-CoV-2 vaccine will be successful and bring benefits to the public

soon," said Johnson Wang, President in Asia Pacific Region at GenScript.

References:

1. Ohtsuka et al., Non-propagative human parainfluenza virus type 2 nasal

vaccine robustly protects the upper and lower airways against SARS-CoV-2,

iScience (2021) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.103379

About BioComo

BioComo, a biotech company founded at Mie Prefecture Japan in May 2008, is

developing cutting-edge technology platforms for creating the novel and

predominant vaccine carriers and adjuvants to enhance immunity in collaboration

with the Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Department of Mie University. They

have already succeeded in the development of highly efficacious and

state-of-the art vaccine carrier and novel adjuvant candidates. Their

technology will be applied to the production of the next generation vaccines

for the prevention of infections such as RS virus, Ebola virus, Influenza

virus, and SARS-CoV-2. It will also enable faster and cost-effective production

of those vaccines. BC-PIV is the core platform technology which was named after

the corporate name, BioComo, and the leading vaccine carrier which is derived

from the recombinant human parainfluenza virus 2 (hPIV2) vectors. BioComo is

dedicated to inventing new vaccines for both global infection threats as well

as malignant tumors.

For more information visit www.biocomo.jp

About GenScript Biotech Corporation

GenScript Biotech Corporation (Stock Code: 1548.HK) is the world's leading

technology and service provider of life science R&D and manufacture. Built upon

its solid gene synthesis technology, GenScript Biotech is divided into four

major platforms including the life science service and product platform, the

biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) platform,

the global cell therapy platform and the industrial synthesis biological

product platform.

GenScript Biotech was founded in New Jersey, US in 2002 and listed on the Hong

Kong Stock Exchange in 2015. GenScript Biotech's business operations span over

100 countries and regions worldwide with legal entities located in the US,

Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, the Netherlands and Ireland.

GenScript Biotech provides premium, convenient and reliable services and

products for over 100,000 customers.

As of June 30, 2021, GenScript Biotech had more than 4500 employees globally,

over 40% of whom hold master's and/or Ph.D. degrees. In addition, GenScript

Biotech owns a number of intellectual property rights, including over 160

patents, over 600 pending patent applications and great numbers of trade

secrets.

Driven by the corporate mission of "making people and nature healthier through

biotechnology", GenScript Biotech strives to become the most trustworthy

biotech company in the world. As of June 30, 2021, GenScript Biotech's services

and products have been cited by 64,700 peer-reviewed journal articles worldwide.

For more information, please visit GenScript Biotech's official website

https://www.genscript.com

Source:  GenScript