Horizon cell line sequence released in bid to up bioproduction efficiency
Horizon is releasing the sequence as a reference tool for researchers to both screen for genes associated with desired phenotypes and to drive innovation in bioproduction in what the firm said was a rare move by a gene-editing company.
“Releasing the sequence will enable bioproduction researchers both in academia and industry to more easily modify their CHO cells through genome engineering, for example to increase product quality or yield,” Jamie Freeman, product manager at the UK-based translational genomics firm told Biopharma-Reporter.
“It is not common to be permitted to modify manufacturing ready cell lines in this manner. Therefore, by releasing the sequence we hope to drive innovation in the field, as well as increase uptake of our cell line.”
He added Horizon’s GS Knockout CHO cell line is widely accessible, with flexible licensing terms, “so we believe that it is logical to use our cells for these experiments, as the released sequence is the most accurate available.”
The project will also help Horizon further enhance the cell line using genome editing approaches, Freeman said. “We will use it to research and identify targets leading to future iterations of the cell line that will be released for commercial manufacturing with improved attributes for bioproduction.”
The sequence was done in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, and will be made available publicly via the Ensembl website at EMBL-EBI.
