Althea Technologies and Profectus BioSciences have signed a manufacturing supply agreement for plasmid DNA production. Althea will provide gram-scale quantities of cGMP-manufactured plasmid DNA expressing IL-12 for Profectus Biosciences’ ongoing DNA vaccine development efforts. IL-12 is designed to prompt an immune response once the DNA enters a cell, which is part of Profectus Biosciences’ technology platform to overcome the poor delivery and immunogenicity of DNA vaccines.
 
“Profectus is very pleased to establish this partnership with Althea for the production of the clinical grade plasmids for our DNA vaccine programs,” said John Eldridge, chief scientific officer of Profectus BioSciences. “Althea provides an unmatched combination of state-of-the-art facilities and expertise in this area and we anticipate a long and productive association.”
 
“We are delighted to be awarded this contract, this project has tremendous potential for treating some of the world’s most devastating and challenging diseases,” said Rick Hancock, president and chief executive officer of Althea Technologies. “By establishing this partnership, Althea will be able to leverage our plasmid manufacturing expertise to help advance this DNA vaccines program through the clinic and to the patients who need it.”