CTO & VP of Research at Baxter Healthcare to Present at GTCbio's 2nd Protein Therapeutics Discovery & Development Conference
Larry Brown, Chief Technology Officer & VP of Research at Baxter Healthcare to Present at GTCbio's 2nd Protein Therapeutics Discovery & Development Conference on September 8-9, 2008 in San Diego, CA


/Biotechnology News Articles/ - MONROVIA, CA, June 13, 2008 - Dr. Larry Brown, Chief Technology Officer and VP of Research at Baxter Healthcare will be speaking at GTCbio's 2nd Protein Therapeutics Discovery & Development conference on September 8-9, 2008 in San Diego, CA. Dr. Brown will present on high concentration subcutaneous monoclonal antibody formulations.

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are one of the fastest growing segments of the pharmaceutical market. A therapeutic challenge for the mAb market is that most of these drugs are delivered intravenously due to high dosing requirements often in the several hundred-milligram range. A critical medical need in the formulation of this drug class is finding an alternative to the IV route of administration. Baxter Healthcare has incorporated monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies into our PROMAXX microsphere formulation technology. Microspheres were formulated by mixing monoclonal anti-factor VIII and anti-CD34 antibodies, with water-soluble polymer solutions, such as PEG or Poloxamer. The solution was cooled below ambient room temperature for microsphere formation. The microsphere formation process showed no impact on antibody integrity, as demonstrated by fluorescence spectroscopy and by size exclusion chromatography. Light scattering measurements of particle size showed monodispersed mAb microspheres with a diameter of 1.92 microns. X-ray powder diffraction showed that the protein in the microsphere was amorphous. Microsphere suspensions at concentrations up to 300 mg/mL, were shown to be injectable through 26 gauge needle sizes in vitro and in vivo. Studies of mAb microspheres and solutions delivered by the subcutaneous route showed similar pharmacokinetics.

GTCbio's 2nd Annual Protein Therapeutics Discovery and Development Conference will explore the therapeutic applications of proteins, with a look at discovery and design of therapeutics, overcoming challenges associated with protein based drugs, and new tools and strategies in process development. Finally, attendees will get an update on novel developments in protein therapeutics. The keynote presentation will be given by Dr. Michael Hanley, Vice President of Discovery Research & CSO of Amylin Pharmaceuticals.

For more information including a detailed agenda, exhibitor opportunities and registration information visit http://gtcbio.com/conferenceDetails.aspx?id=128.

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