19 December 2018 - - Switzerland-based cell line development specialist Selexis SA and US-based biotechnology company Teneobio, Inc. have entered into a second services agreement to expand Teneobio's oncology pipeline of Human Heavy-Chain Antibodies (UniAbs), a new class of multi-specific biologics, the companies said.

Under the agreement, Teneobio will utilise Selexis' proprietary SUREtechnology Platform to develop research cell banks for three additional preclinical candidates for the potential treatments of B-cell malignancies and prostate cancer.

Selexis and Teneobio announced their first services agreement in June 2017 to develop RCBs for multi-specific UniAb candidates for multiple myeloma.

Selexis' modular SUREtechnology Platform facilitates the rapid, stable, and cost-effective production of virtually any recombinant protein and provides seamless integration of the biologics development continuum, spanning discovery to commercialisation.

Selexis SA is in cell line development with best-in-class modular technology and highly specialized solutions that enable the life sciences industry to rapidly discover, develop and commercialize innovative medicines and vaccines.

Its global partners are utilising Selexis technologies to advance more than 100 drug products in clinical development and the manufacture of four commercial products.

As part of a comprehensive drug development process, the company's technologies shorten development timelines and reduce manufacturing risks.

In June 2017, Selexis became part of the JSR Life Sciences group. JSR's CDMO service offering leverages the full capabilities of Selexis' proprietary SUREtechnology Platform to offer an end-to-end solution to industry.

Teneobio is a biotechnology company developing a new class of biologics, Human Heavy-Chain Antibodies (UniAbs), for the treatments of cancer, autoimmunity, and infectious diseases. 

The company's discovery platform, TeneoSeek, comprises genetically engineered animals (UniRat and OmniFlic), next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics and high-throughput vector assembly technologies.

TeneoSeek rapidly identifies large numbers of unique binding molecules specific for therapeutic targets of interest.

Versatile antibody variable domains (UniDabs) derived from UniAbs can be assembled into multi-specific and multivalent therapeutic proteins, surpassing limitations of conventional antibody therapeutics. 

Teneobio's "plug-and-play" T-cell engaging platform includes a diverse set of anti-CD3 antibodies for therapeutics with optimal efficacy and reduced toxicity.

Teneobio plans to file its first IND on its lead program, TNB-383B (anti-BCMAxCD3) for the treatment of multiple myeloma in 1Q19. The company has received funding from institutional investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners and Sutter Hill Ventures.