iBio announced that it has, along with Caliber Biotherapeutics, designated a proprietary fusion protein for cancer treatment as the first product target for advancement on the iBioLaunch platform, under the licenses and collaboration agreement between the two companies that was dated Feb. 14, 2013.

“In addition to its other attributes, iBio technology produces antibodies efficiently,” said iBio President Robert Erwin. “We are confident our technology will prove superior to traditional animal cell methods for efficient delivery of this promising new class of fusion-protein biotherapeutics, and we look forward to working with Caliber to rapidly move this molecule into clinical trials.”

Collaborating with iBio gives Caliber additional resources to quickly optimize its production system. Caliber has an advantage in mAb development and large-scale production; the company does not have to develop a new cell line for each mAb construct. Additionally, Caliber’s bioreactors are individual plants, so the company does not have to scale up to larger reactor components. Caliber just grows 2.2 million individual bioreactors, if necessary, which allows very rapid process and clinical development and shortens the time to scale large production and, ultimately, time to market.

The agreement between iBio and Caliber stipulates that iBio will receive license and milestone fees for the development of product targets. Caliber is responsible to fund clinical development and commercialization of such collaboration products. iBio is entitled to royalties on such product sales and other revenues. The companies have not disclosed detailed financial terms of the agreement.

For more information, visit www.ibioinc.com

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