MilliporeSigma adds first non-mammalian cell line to portfolio

GlycoBac, a biotechnology company that spun-out of the University of Wyoming, will provide its rhabdovirus-negative (RVN) cell line to allow MilliporeSigma, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) to offer the first Sf-9 platform in combination with a rhabdovirus-free insect cell line to provide a streamlined insect cell line production. The cell line will also have a corresponding chemically defined cell culture medium.

Nikolai Stankiewicz, global product manager of cell culture media and biopharma materials at MilliporeSigma, told us that this Sf-rhabdovirus-negative cell line will accelerate the biomanufacturing processes by eliminating the time needed to remove the rhabdovirus, which is necessary for traditional processes. Rhabdovirus is a process contaminant that clients often have to remove for the safety of the cell line.

This platform will be the first non-mammalian cell line in MilliporeSigma’s cell culture portfolio. With this addition, the company’s clients will have access to a vehicle for recombinant protein expression, virus-like particle vaccines and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy production.

According to Stankiewicz, the Sf-RVN cell line and an additional ex-cell CD-insect medium platform prototype are currently being evaluated by partners focusing on AAV production to meet the demands of commercial-scale production. The new platform is capable of producing all therapeutic classes that are traditionally manufactured with insect cells.