UTRECHT, Netherlands,
June 11, 2020 /CNW/ - IMMUNOPRECISE
ANTIBODIES LTD. (the "Company" or "IPA") (TSX VENTURE: IPA) (OTC
QB: IPATF) (Germany: TQB2) subsidiary U-Protein Express BV ("UPE")
today announced the availability of its new recombinant SARS-CoV-2
proteins, and other proteins associated with COVID-19, for use by
researchers globally in the design and discovery of novel
therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostic test kits for
coronavirus.
"UPE's management stepped up immediately in early January, soon
after the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, and began the construct design
and manufacturing of proteins that play a central role in the
infection of human lung tissue by the SARS-CoV-2 virus," said Dr.
Roland Romijn, Head of General
Operations at UPE. "By using ImmunoPrecise's proprietary
rPExTM protein production platform, we have produced
high quality, high yield, batches of multiple subunits of the viral
Spike protein, and other SARS-CoV-2-related proteins, which we
believe are useful reagents for the analysis of, and generation of,
antibody therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics. We continue to
focus on the development of new, SARS-CoV-2-related recombinant
proteins to support the scientific community in this crucial,
global effort.
These proteins are now available to the scientific community to
help combat the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The recombinant
coronavirus proteins (and other proteins related to SARS-CoV-2
infection) are produced using ImmunoPrecise's proprietary rPEx
protein production platform, utilizing transient transfection of
HEK293 cells. In contrast to more basic recombinant protein
expression platforms like E. coli cells or insect cells, the
rPEx platform generates superior recombinant proteins that more
closely resemble the native conformations of the proteins. This is
especially important for retaining the functions of the heavily
glycosylated, viral Spike protein.
"The success of this program at UPE is an exemplary
demonstration of the selfless efforts, unity and determination that
have arisen within ImmunoPrecise as part of our larger, global
efforts in fighting coronavirus," stated Dr. Jennifer Bath, President and CEO of
ImmunoPrecise. "The substantive time and energy dedicated by this
team have not only enabled this much needed support to the broader
scientific community but have also served as a cornerstone in our
own efforts at IPA, as we continue to rapidly advance our
coronavirus therapeutic, vaccine and diagnostic programs."
The COVID-19 related proteins are available online at
www.u-proteinexpress.com. For academic and commercial institutions
seeking more information about these proteins and potentially other
reagents related to COVID-19, please contact us on the UPE website
or email: info@u-proteinexpress.com.
Jennifer Bath, Ph.D., Chief
Executive Officer of ImmunoPrecise, has reviewed and approved the
scientific disclosure of this news release.
The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its
product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain COVID-19 (or
SARS-CoV-2) at this time.
About U-Protein Express BV
U-protein Express is a Dutch biotechnology service provider
company based in Utrecht, The
Netherlands. UPE was founded in 2007 as a spin-off company
of the Utrecht University and has
established the rPExTM technology. The rPEx technology
is based on transient transfection of HEK293 cells and yields high
quality, high amounts of recombinant proteins and antibodies in a
short time span. Dr. Roland Romijn
is one of the founders of UPE and holds a PhD from the Utrecht University. His work at UPE involves
overall project management and exploration of new technologies to
improve the rPEx technology. Since the acquisition of UPE by
ImmunoPrecise Antibodies in 2017, Dr. Romijn has worked closely
with other members of the global team to synergistically improve
the company's goods, services and IP assets.
About ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd.
ImmunoPrecise is a full-service, therapeutic antibody discovery
Contract Research Organization offering species agnostic,
multi-format, characterized and engineered, human monoclonal
antibodies, on an abbreviated timeframe, for its pharmaceutical
clients. For further information, visit www.immunoprecise.com or
contact solutions@immunoprecise.com.
Forward Looking Information
This news release contains statements that, to the extent
they are not recitations of historical fact, may constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable
Canadian securities laws. The Company uses words such as "may",
"would", "could", "will", "likely", "expect", "believe", "intend"
and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Any
such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and
analyses made by ImmunoPrecise in light of its experience and its
perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected
future developments. However, whether actual results and
developments will conform to ImmunoPrecise's expectations and
predictions is subject to any number of risks, assumptions and
uncertainties. Many factors could cause ImmunoPrecise's actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such
factors include, among other things, actual revenues and earnings
for IPA being lower than anticipated, and those risks and
uncertainties described in ImmunoPrecise's management discussion
and analysis for the previous quarter ended January 31, 2020 which can be accessed at
www.sedar.com. The "forward-looking statements" contained
herein speak only as of the date of this press release and, unless
required by applicable law, ImmunoPrecise undertakes no obligation
to publicly update or revise such information, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
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SOURCE ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd.