ProBioGen to license GlymaxX to Thermo Fisher Scientific for use in developing allergy diagnostics

Afucosylation can enable more precise assessment of allergic sensitization.

ProBioGen’s CSO, Dr Volker Sandig, comments: “Deviating from the typical GlymaxX application of enhancing the cell-killing potency of CHO-derived therapeutic antibodies in cancer, GlymaxX plays out its universal applicability in a radically different field. In this case, GlymaxX acts to prevent the formation of cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants on recombinant proteins, expressed in insect cells, which would otherwise cause the detection of IgE antibodies of a certain kind with no clinical significance. Thus, this sophisticated technology serves to add to the specificity of the diagnostics test result.”

Dr Jon-Sverre Schanche, VP R&D for Thermo Fisher’s ImmunoDiagnostics business explains: “Our ImmunoCAP blood tests for allergen-specific IgE antibodies aid clinicians worldwide in their diagnoses of patients with allergy-like symptoms. The GlymaxX technology will help us in our effort to develop diagnostic tests that deliver even greater clinical precision for the benefit of doctors and allergic patients worldwide.”

ProBioGen’s CEO, Dr Wieland Wolf, added: “We are very pleased that GlymaxX, besides its successful therapeutic application, is now employed for diagnostics as well. This proves again the versatile and intelligent solutions GlymaxX can provide.”