The development of a recombinant protein for use as a compassionate-care treatment for coronavirus patients is underway at the Biological Process Development Facility in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Engineering.
The facility is working with a pre-clinical drug discovery company, using its proprietary genetic technology platform to produce a recombinant protein as a biotherapeutic for COVID-19 patients who may have few options left for treatment. According to Dennis Hensen, project manager, clinical trials for the treatment are being fast-tracked for a possible July start.
The facility, located in Othmer Hall on the university’s City Campus, specializes in process development and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) production of recombinant peptides and proteins that are suitable for non-clinical and clinical studies. The facility develops compliant manufacturing processes and test methods used in the production of drugs and other biologics, and produces bulk drug substances under GMP that are suitable for non-clinical and clinical trials. The facility also produces bulk intermediates for further processing and industrial enzymes for GMP manufacturing.
