iBio, a CDMO that focuses on plant-based biotechnology, said it reached an agreement to support Aethlon Medical with the production of its blood purification device.
The two companies have previously worked together to confirm the use of a proprietary recombinant lectin protein, Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA), produced with iBio's technology. The GNA is used to boost the performance of Aethlon's Hemopurifier blood purification device. Aethlon and iBio were able to manufacture and screen a panel of recombinantly produced lectin isoforms for improved binding capacity compared to other extracted mixtures.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"The production of recombinant GNA in iBio's large-scale manufacturing facility establishes a pathway for us to access a consistent, high quality supply that can support our long-term clinical and commercialization objectives,” Jim Joyce, Aethlon chairman and CEO, said in a statement.
Aethlon was recently awarded the FDA's Expedited Access Pathway Designation for its Hemopurifier, which is a single-use cartridge that captures a broad spectrum of highly glycosylated viruses including influenza and hemorrhagic fevers, such as Ebola virus, to reduce viral load in the circulatory system. The company is also looking at using the device to reduce the presence of circulating tumor-derived exosomes, which contribute to immune suppression and metastasis.