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ADImmune seals deal on cell biotechnology

Crucell NV, the largest Dutch biotechnology company, has agreed to share its large-scale cell manufacturing technology with a Taiwanese competitor.

ADImmune Corp (國光生技) intends to use the PER.C6 cell line to develop and commercialize a vaccine against Japanese encephalitis virus in Taiwan and China, the Leiden, Netherlands-based Crucell said in a statement on Wednesday.

Crucell licenses technologies to companies such Merck & Co and Koninklijke DSM NV and develops vaccines and antibodies that prevent and treat infectious diseases, including influenza and malaria.

In the statement, Crucell said ADImmune will pay a license issuance fee, annual maintenance fees and royalties on future product sales.

Taichung-based ADImmune, formerly known as Kuo Kwang Serum and Vaccine Laboratories, was formed in 1965 through the technical support of Japanese vaccine developer Kitasato Institute.

The company is currently the only closely held human-use vaccine manufacturer in Taiwan, according to ADImmune's Web site.

With a pool of some 70 employees, ADImmune has been receiving grants from the Ministry of Economic Affairs to develop new technology and products since 1998.

The company has engaged in a collaboration with several research institutes in Taiwan, including the Development Center for Biotechnology, to develop plasmid DNA manufacturing processes.

Recently the company received investment funding of NT$512 million (US$16 million) from the Cabinet's Development Fund, which is equal to approximately 21 percent of the post-money stake, it said on the Web site.

The company produces Japanese encephalitis vaccine and tetanus toxoid, with the former commanding 100 percent of the local market and the later 50 percent of the market.
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