Algenex

Algenex, founded in 2005 by Jose Angel Martinez Escribano, is a biotechnology company headquartered in Madrid, Spain, specializing in the development and production of recombinant biologics. The founder, who also serves as the Chief Scientific Officer, holds a Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine and has over two decades of experience in virology and biotechnology, which is foundational to the company's core technology. In 2022, Algenex was acquired by the founders of the Insud Pharma Group, integrating it into a global pharmaceutical network with a presence in over 50 countries.

The company's business model is centered on its proprietary baculovirus expression platforms, CrisBio® and TopBac®, which it offers through collaborations and licensing agreements to partners in the animal and human health sectors. CrisBio® utilizes insect pupae (Trichoplusia ni) as single-use, living bioreactors, a method designed to offer a more rapid, scalable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional bioreactor-based manufacturing. This approach allows the company to develop and supply recombinant proteins for vaccines, diagnostic reagents, and therapeutic molecules. Algenex generates revenue by developing tailor-made vectors, conducting proof-of-concept studies, and supplying recombinant proteins through these partnerships.

Initially focused on animal health, Algenex achieved a significant milestone when the European Medicines Agency (EMA) validated the CrisBio® platform through the approval of a vaccine for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease. The company has successfully produced over 200 molecules in partnership with various pharmaceutical companies. Building on this success, Algenex has expanded its focus to include human health applications, aiming to address the need for rapid vaccine production. A key development in this area is a collaboration with CEPI, supported by a grant of up to $3.14 million, to conduct a proof-of-concept study for an influenza vaccine and demonstrate the platform's utility for pandemic response. To support its growth, the company inaugurated a new GMP-certified manufacturing facility in Tres Cantos, Spain, capable of producing up to 100 million vaccine doses annually.

Keywords: recombinant protein production, baculovirus expression system, CrisBio, vaccine development, animal health vaccines, human health vaccines, insect bioreactors, single-use bioreactors, biologics manufacturing, subunit vaccines, Jose Angel Martinez Escribano, Insud Pharma, protein expression platform, veterinary medicine, diagnostics, biopharmaceuticals, biotechnology, Tres Cantos, European Medicines Agency, CEPI collaboration