Applied DNA Subsidiary, LineaRx, Inc., Signs Licensing Agreement with LifeSensors, Inc.
14 January 2020 - 1:15AM
Business Wire
LineaRx will incorporate LifeSensors’
SUMO-fusion technologies to maximize protein expression of
PCR-produced Linear DNA
Applied DNA Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: APDN) (“Applied DNA” or the
“Company”) announced today that LineaRx, Inc. (“LineaRx”), its
majority-owned subsidiary focused on next-generation
biotherapeutics and cancer diagnostics, has signed a licensing
agreement with LifeSensors, Inc. (“LifeSensors”), to incorporate
LifeSensors’ high expression SUMO-fusion technologies into the
Company’s linear DNA amplicons designed and produced for
therapeutic applications (the “Agreement”). LifeSensors’
SUMO-fusion technologies enable the attachment of the C-terminus of
SUMO (Small Ubiquitin Like Modifier) to the N-terminus of a protein
of interest that can dramatically improve protein solubility,
achieve native protein folding, and increase total yield by
improving expression and decreasing degradation.
Under the terms of the Agreement, LineaRx will have a worldwide
license to the applicable LifeSensors intellectual property to
make, have made, use, and sell DNA constructs incorporating the
SUMO-fusion technologies for therapeutic and diagnostic
applications.
“We have already demonstrated expression levels for our linear
DNA that meets or exceed that of plasmid-produced DNA,” stated Dr.
James Hayward, president and CEO of Applied DNA. “The incorporation
of the SUMO-fusion technologies into our linear amplicons we
believe will further optimize protein expression and deliver yet
another strength to linear DNA. We are in discussions with
therapeutic companies on incorporating the SUMO-fusion technologies
into their custom amplicon for the therapy of interest.”
“A roadblock to successful gene therapy today is the ability to
effectively express and present the therapeutic product in the
target cell. Fusion of gene constructs and chimeric genes with
SUMOstar overcomes the hurdles of poor gene expression,” said
Brenda Bausher, Manager of LifeSensors, Inc.
The companies will work together on initially developing and
releasing two high expression amplicons; one for the generic
Luciferase protein and one for our licensed anti-CD19 therapy.
Data showing the increased expression levels resulting from
incorporation of SUMO-fusion technologies are expected to be
available over the next few months.
“This Agreement demonstrates the commitment we have to optimize
PCR-produced linear DNA for therapeutic applications. We expect
that LifeSensors’ proven technology will further strengthen our
higher performing alternative to plasmids for nucleic acid-based
therapies,” concluded Dr. Hayward.
About LineaRx, Inc.
LineaRx seeks to commercialize the biotherapeutic value of
Applied DNA’s deep expertise and experience in the design,
manufacture and chemical modification of DNA by large scale
polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”). Linear DNA is a form of DNA
distinct from the circular form of DNA most commonly produced in
plasmids and grown in bacteria. Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA
found in bacteria and are associated with the genes for antibiotic
resistance which are often exchanged between bacteria and
consequentially, are seen by many to embody a serious threat to
global health. In addition, many nucleic acid-based therapies also
rely on viral vectors for efficient transfection and expression of
plasmid DNA. These viral vectors carry additional nontrivial risks
and are extremely time consuming and expensive to manufacture.
In all forms of gene therapy, DNA exerts its influence from
within the nucleus. Recombinant events for circular DNA are
permanent and alter the genomes of the affected cells and their
progeny. The fundamental challenge of all gene and cellular
therapies is safety. Recent studies have elaborated “unintended
consequences” when plasmid and viral vectors are combined that may
pose future risks for treated patients.
When linear DNA enters the nucleus, it does not need to be
incorporated into the genome in to be temporarily expressed as the
intended proteins product. LineaRx posits that for the
effectiveness of genetic vaccines or genetic immune therapies,
transient expression may be sufficient.
About Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.
Applied DNA is a provider of molecular technologies that enable
supply chain security, anti-counterfeiting and anti-theft
technology, product genotyping, and pre-clinical nucleic acid-based
therapeutic drug candidates.
Applied DNA makes life real and safe by providing innovative,
molecular-based technology solutions and services that can help
protect products, brands, entire supply chains, and intellectual
property of companies, governments and consumers from theft,
counterfeiting, fraud and diversion.
Visit adnas.com for more information. Follow us on Twitter and
LinkedIn. Join our mailing list. Common stock listed on NASDAQ
under the symbol APDN.
About LifeSensors, Inc.
LifeSensors is a biotechnology company focused on SUMO and
ubiquitin proteasome and PROTAC drugs, develops and markets
technologies for application in protein expression and drug
discovery. LifeSensors technologies are employed by academic,
government research institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies worldwide in efforts to improve the quality of human
life.
For more information on our new line of products, please refer
to the LifeSensors web site at www.lifesensors.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements made by Applied DNA in this press release may be
“forward-looking” in nature within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Forward-looking statements describe Applied DNA’s future
plans, projections, strategies and expectations, and are based on
assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many
of which are beyond the control of Applied DNA. Actual results
could differ materially from those projected due to the possibility
of a failure to make timely payment on its outstanding secured
convertible notes and resulting enforcement by noteholders of
remedies on collateral which includes substantially all of Applied
DNA’s assets, its history of net losses, limited financial
resources, limited market acceptance, the uncertainties inherent in
research and development, future clinical data and analysis,
including whether any of Applied DNA’s or its partners product
candidates will advance further in the preclinical research or
clinical trial process, including receiving clearance from the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory
agencies to conduct clinical trials and whether and when, if at
all, they will receive final approval from the U.S. FDA or
equivalent foreign regulatory agencies, and various other factors
detailed from time to time in Applied DNA’s SEC reports and
filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December
12, 2019 and other reports we file with the SEC, which are
available at www.sec.gov. Applied DNA undertakes no obligation to
update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new
information, events or circumstances after the date hereof or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, unless otherwise
required by law.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200113005271/en/
investors: Sanjay M. Hurry, LHA Investor Relations,
212-838-3777, shurry@lhai.com program: Brian Viscount,
Applied DNA, 631-240-8877, brian.viscount@adnas.com Brenda Bausher,
LifeSensors, (610) 644-8845 x 338 web: www.adnas.com
twitter: @APDN
Applied DNA Sciences (NASDAQ:APDN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Applied DNA Sciences (NASDAQ:APDN)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024