20 February 2024, Frederick, Maryland, — Kemp Proteins LLC, a leading provider of gene-to-protein and monoclonal antibody development services, today announced that the company has entered into a Strategic Partnership with Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute (HWMRI). With a rich history in protein structural biology, HWMRI uses its experience and developments to characterize protein structure to better understand their biological function and the potential solutions for treating cancers, infectious disease, and metabolic disorders. The agreement demonstrates Kemp’s commitment to building a broad complement of bioservices focused on providing biopharmaceutical and diagnostic clients with world-class protein related development services and proteins as tools in drug development.
Proteins, one of the key building blocks of life, are involved in and perform many of the chemical reactions that take place within the human body every second. To enable scientists to understand these complex reactions and how they can go awry to cause or promote diseases such as cancer, requires scientists to determine the structure and dynamics of such proteins. Experimentally determined protein models provide insight into how proteins function within the body, both in their natural form and those resulting from incidental or natural genetic mutation, thus establishing the foundation for improved drug/biologic developments.
Edward Snell, CSO of HWMRI commented, “This partnership accesses the combined expertise of two organizations, providing powerful capabilities and enabling rapid and efficient means to produce structural information that will accelerate and drive further discovery. We are excited to work with Kemp Proteins and see a compelling synergy with the technologies and expertise that this partnership enables.” Under the Partnership Kemp Proteins will utilize its Machine Learning tools and experience to develop successful recombinant protein programs that enable and qualify the production of the protein of interest (POI). Kemp Proteins will produce, purify and QC the POI in its modern facility before shipping to HWMRI. Using combinations of structural biology methodologies, including x-ray diffraction and CryoEM, HWMRI will calculate three-dimensional models/ structures of the proteins and macromolecular complexes enabling “Gene to Structure” service offerings.
“Every program that we consider starts with structure. Our team has considerable experience in structural biology, and we use these insights to increase the likelihood of success for a given campaign. Partnering with HWMRI will enable us to further explore the less-characterized structural space and improve upon our current understanding of the hypothetical proteome”, said Carter A. Mitchell, CSO for Kemp Proteins. “We are proud to establish this partnership as few institutes have the breadth of experience and historical significance in the field.”
Kemp Proteins (formerly Kempbio) is a leading provider of gene-to-protein, hybridoma and cell line development services. For more than 20 years, Kemp’s team of protein problem-solvers has delivered best-in-class services that optimize productivity and mitigate risk for life sciences innovators developing protein-based products, including human and veterinary diagnostics, biopharmaceuticals, and vaccines. Kemp Proteins is a Six.02 Bioservices member company.
About Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute (www.hwi.buffalo.edu)
HWMRI established its medical research unit to foster excellence in structural biology research, enhance the links to human health, and build future generations of researchers. The institute is focused on using its state-of-the-art crystallography and microscopy equipment to provide scientists with insight into protein structures and functions to enable better drug design for a range of significant disease states.