Catalent to Present New Data on Benefits of SMARTag™ Technology at World ADC
Somerset, N.J. – February 18, 2015 — Catalent Pharma Solutions, the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics and consumer health products, today announced that Dr. David Rabuka, Global Head R&D, Chemical Biology, will present new data, highlighting the benefits of SMARTag technology in Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) development at the upcoming World ADC Summit, to be held at the Maritim Kurhaushotel Bad Homburg, Frankfurt, Germany, on the 23rd – 25th February, 2015.
Dr. Rabuka’s presentation, on February 24th at 2.30 p.m., entitled “Site Specific ADC Generation Using SMARTag Technology,” will highlight the most recent data in the technology’s development. This will include PK and toxicology data from primate studies illustrating how SMARTag technology allows for development of ADCs with favorable stability and safety profiles compared to alternative ADC technologies. Dr. Rabuka will also present recent production data, demonstrating that the SMARTag system can achieve antibody production titers of up to 5 g/L for site specifically modified ADCs, with potentially significant benefits for manufacturing efficiency and cost of goods. Evolution of SMARTag linker technology will also be discussed and the presentation will examine how the choice of linker can alter the efficacy and stability of an ADC in various models.
Dr. Rabuka assumed the role of Catalent Pharma Solutions’ Global Head of R&D Chemical Biology in October 2014, following Catalent’s acquisition of Redwood Bioscience Inc., where he had previously acted as President and Chief Scientific Officer. He received a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, as a Chevron Fellow in the lab of Professor Carolyn Bertozzi. His research included developing and applying Redwood’s platform technology to cell surface modifications. Prior to joining Professor Bertozzi’s lab, Dr. Rabuka worked at the Burnham Institute, synthesizing complex glycans, followed by Optimer Pharmaceuticals, where he was an early employee, focused on the development of glycan and macrolide based antibiotics. He graduated with a double honors B.S. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of Saskatchewan where he received the Dean’s Science Award and holds an M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Alberta. Dr. Rabuka is an author on over 30 major publications, as well as numerous book chapters and patents.
The proprietary SMARTag site-specific protein modification and cytotoxin-linker technologies developed by Redwood enable the generation of homogenous bioconjugates engineered to enhance potency, safety and stability. The technology employs natural post translational modifications found in human cells to create one or more aldehyde tags at designated sites on protein molecules. These chemical handles are then stably conjugated to cytotoxic payloads to prevent their systemic release. The SMARTag platform provides precise payload positioning and defined stoichiometry of payload–protein ratios. The control afforded by the technology enables identification of superior drugs from libraries of differentially designed conjugates.
For more information on the World ADC Summit, visit: worldadc-europe.com and to arrange a meeting with Dr. Rabuka, contact Richard Kerns at NEPR- richard@nepr.eu.
Media Contacts:
Chris Halling
+44 (0)7580 041073
chris.halling@catalent.com
Richard Kerns
+44 (0) 161 728 5880
richard@nepr.eu
About Catalent
Catalent Pharma Solutions is the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics and consumer health products. With over 80 years serving the industry, Catalent has proven expertise in bringing more customer products to market faster, enhancing product performance and ensuring reliable clinical and commercial product supply. Catalent employs approximately 8,000 people, including over 1,000 scientists, at nearly 30 facilities across 5 continents and in fiscal 2014 generated more than $1.8 billion in annual revenue. Catalent is headquartered in Somerset, N.J. For more information, visit www.catalent.com.