Protea announces new test methods for therapeutic antibodies

MORGANTOWN, W.Va., July 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Protea Biosciences Group, Inc. (OTCQB: PRGB) ("Protea") announced that it has integrated its therapeutic antibody analytical methods with new software developed by its partner, Protein Metrics, to automate the detailed analysis of the antibody's structure. The results were presented at the 65^th American Society for Mass Spectrometry Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics recently held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

"We are pleased to announce these new bioanalytical capabilities.  In producing therapeutic antibodies, it's all about understanding the detail of the molecule – for example, discovering molecular deviations caused by such things as shuffled disulfide bond arrangements, glycosylations, and other post translational modifications is extremely important for the final function of the protein," commented David Halverson, Protea's President.  "Even small changes in the therapeutic structure can have drastic impacts on the function and efficacy of the molecule, and it is often the case that multiple deviations of the antibody's desired structure occur during production." 

Protea's new methods can identify therapeutic antibody deviations and impurities, in the form of host cell proteins, that may occur as part of the recombinant protein production process.  Peptide maps of therapeutic antibodies containing post translational modifications, or the subtle changes of protein structure that occur after synthesis, can now be generated simultaneously while also determining the amount of other impurities present, at extremely low levels.  This information is vital for optimizing the entire therapeutic antibody production process.  Using the automated analytical method to identify post translational modifications, while simultaneously determining the levels of deviations and impurities, increases the efficiency of manufacturing and generates better analytical results, in less time.

"Researchers are now able to access a complete solution for therapeutic antibody production, analytical characterization and bioinformatic reporting," stated Haddon Goodman, Vice President, Corporate Development.  He continued, "With Proteos as our partner for high quality recombinant protein and antibody production, and Protein Metrics' analytical software, we are providing our clients access to enhanced capabilities by partnering with experts in related biotherapeutic areas."  

The development and commercialization of therapeutic antibodies is one of the fastest growing areas within the biopharmaceutical industry. Therapeutic antibodies have high efficacy and specificity, due to the ability to accurately synthesize, purify, and verify that the final product does not contain molecular deviations or host cell protein impurities, which could cause an undesired immunogenic response in the patient.    

About Protea Biosciences Group, Inc.:  Protea Biosciences Group, Inc. (OTCQB:PRGB) provides innovative bioanalytical solutions to the pharmaceutical and life science industries by applying the Company's proprietary technology to identify and characterize the proteins, metabolites, lipids and other biologically-active molecules which are the byproducts of all living cells and life forms. Protea provides revolutionary capabilities that enable the identification and spatial display of biologically-active molecules in tissue and cells. Molecular imaging can be obtained without sample preparation, labeling or antibody techniques, thereby integrating for the first time direct identification of molecules with anatomic pathology. The Company is using its technology to develop a new class of diagnostics for the differential diagnosis of cancer.

Forward-Looking Statements; This press release may contain statements relating to future results or events, which are forward-looking statements.  Words such as "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "could", "should", "anticipates", "likely", "believes" and words of similar import may identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Company's belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control.  It is possible that the Company's actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements.  Further, information concerning the Company and its business, including factors that potentially could materially affect the Company's business and financial and other results, are contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov.  All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur or of which we hereafter become aware.

www.proteabio.com

Protein Metrics, Inc.:
Visit www.proteinmetrics.com;  

Proteos, Inc.:
Visit: www.proteos.com

Protea is a registered trademark of Protea Biosciences Group, Inc.

SOURCE Protea Biosciences Group, Inc.

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