Abstract

Ross Overman, Leaf Expression Systems

Here at Leaf Expression Systems, a UK-based manufacturing and contract development business, we specialize in plant-based expression and production of proteins, metabolites and complex natural products for research and biomedical applications using a proprietary, transient expression technology, Hypertrans^®. Our plant production platform offers the advantages of rapid, scalable and cost-effective production of high-quality biologics. Our customers gain from faster initial research into product viability, lowered development costs and streamlined manufacture of biologics. Our pipeline is proven in the production of a variety of biologics covering therapeutic agents, vaccines and diagnostic tools. One such therapeutic example is Bevacizumab (marketed as Avastin®), a humanized monoclonal IgG1(kappa) antibody against human vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) that inhibits angiogenesis and is used clinically to treat several different forms of cancer. Here we showcase our Hypertrans^® platform with the production and activity analysis of a recombinant bevacizumab biosimilar, made in the plantN. benthamiana.