Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V and allied contract manufacturer DSM Biologics announced that Crucell has signed a PER.C6 research license agreement with Synergenics LLC and Synco Bio Partners Investments. This license agreement allows Synergenics and Synco, both led by chairman and CEO William J Rutter, to use the PER.C6 cell line for the development of their monoclonal antibodies for infectious diseases.

"We are very pleased that our infectious diseases antibody pipeline will now benefit from the use of PER.C6 technology," said Dr. Rutter. Prior to founding Synergenics and acquiring Synco, Dr. Rutter served as chairman of the board of Directors at Chiron Corporation, where he was also a co-founder.

Under the terms of the agreement, Crucell and DSM will receive an upfront payment and annual maintenance fees. Further financial details were not disclosed.

Synergenics, LLC operates a consortium of commonly-owned but independent start-up biotech companies offering an innovative approach to science and business collaboration in the life sciences industry. Synergenics provides member companies with shared laboratory facilities and a wide range of experienced management and administrative services, creating true economies of scale. Synergenics was founded by life-science veteran William J. Rutter and is based in San Francisco, California.