Repligen receives USPTO Notice of Allowance for patent covering a recombinant form of Protein A

Feb 4 2010

Repligen Corporation (Nasdaq: RGEN) announced today that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent covering a recombinant form of Protein A which is identical in structure to the commercial form of Protein A from Staphylococcus aureus which is used in the production of many of the world's approved monoclonal antibodies. The patent, which will remain in force until 2028, covers a new Repligen proprietary product which is now available in commercial quantities.  This product has been developed as an alternative to the legacy Staphylococcus aureus Protein A and will be the basis of Repligen's future chromatography product development.  Proteins manufactured with recombinant technology have multiple advantages over a natural source such as Staphylococcus aureus including higher quality, product consistency and purity as well as improved supply chain security and a lower cost of production.

"This action by the patent office reflects our continuing investment and commitment to our Bioprocessing business," stated Walter C. Herlihy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Repligen Corporation.  "This recently launched recombinant Protein A product is an important step in expanding our business through both organic growth and product acquisition."

Repligen is the world's leading supplier of recombinant Protein A, a consumable used in the manufacture of monoclonal antibodies, a highly successful class of biopharmaceutical.  There are currently more than 25 monoclonal antibodies that have received regulatory approval with more than 200 products in various stages of clinical development.  The worldwide revenues from this class of drug exceeded $35 billion in 2009.