Cobra Biologics Ltd, an international clinical and commercial contract manufacturer of biologics and pharmaceuticals, and Algeta ASA, a company focused on the development of novel targeted cancer therapeutics, have signed a new contract manufacturing partnership for Algeta’s fourth Targeted Thorium Conjugate (TTC) programme. The programme will focus on the development of an undisclosed monoclonal antibody, which is highly selective for a validated cell surface target on hematological cancer cells, linked to Algeta's alpha-particle emitter thorium-227 (Th-227).

Under the terms of the contract manufacturing agreement, Cobra will be providing cell line development through its maxXpress service, GMP cell banking, analytical and process development, scale-up, toxicology and GMP production, as well as stability studies.

Algeta will be benefiting from Cobra’s maxXpress service, which combines the UCOE protein expression technology with the experience and expertise of Cobra Biologics’ cell line development team and the Cello robotic clone selection system, to enable rapid clone selection and production of the monoclonal antibody.

Peter Coleman, CEO of Cobra Biologics, said: “We are delighted that Algeta have chosen Cobra as the manufacturer of a monoclonal antibody. Algeta’s contract forms part of a very successful year where we are seeing significant expansion in our antibody contract manufacturing as customers see the advantages Cobra’s comprehensive services provide.”