Maxygen
Encyclopedia
Maxygen Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing improved versions of protein drugs using DNA shuffling and other protein modification technologies. The company is headquartered in Redwood City, CA.
, which entered clinical trials in 2006. Maxygen also has a preclinical program, MAXY-4, to develop a novel CTLA4-Ig therapeutic for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
and other autoimmune diseases.
platform. These technologies allow the generation of millions of variant genes and proteins, which then can be screened to identify those of potential commercial interest. This laboratory process mimics the powerful natural process of evolution. Maxygen’s work has led to numerous scientific publications and patents.
Other protein engineering
and protein modification technologies used by Maxygen include mutagenesis
, rational design, PEGylation
, glycosylation
, and de-immunization.
, a San Francisco Bay Area scientist and entrepreneur, and 3 co-founders: Dr. Willem P.C. Stemmer
, Dr. Russell Howard and Isaac Stein. Dr. Zaffaroni has founded multiple companies including ALZA
Corporation, DNAX Research Institute, Affymax, Affymetrix
, Symyx Technologies
, and Alexza.
Maxygen has demonstrated that the MolecularBreeding directed evolution platform has commercial potential in a number of areas, including agriculture, veterinary medicine, enzyme/chemical processes, and human therapeutics. To accelerate its development of improved biopharmaceuticals, Maxygen acquired the Danish company Profound Pharma
A/S in 2000, created by Christian Karsten Hansen
and Jan Møller Mikkelsen in 1999. To facilitate the commercial development of products made with its technologies, in 2002 Maxygen established Codexis Inc.
to focus on enzyme/chemical applications and Verdia Inc. to focus on agricultural applications. Verdia was sold to DuPont in 2004 for $64 million. In addition, Maxygen established Avidia in 2003 to develop protein subunits as commercial products, including therapeutics. Avidia was purchased by Amgen
in 2006 for $290 million.
The company reported a fourth-quarter 2007 loss of $11.3M.
Clinical Programs
Maxygen’s clinical programs include a novel G-CSF for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropeniaNeutropenia
Neutropenia, from Latin prefix neutro- and Greek suffix -πενία , is a granulocyte disorder characterized by an abnormally low number of neutrophils, the most important type of white blood cell...
, which entered clinical trials in 2006. Maxygen also has a preclinical program, MAXY-4, to develop a novel CTLA4-Ig therapeutic for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. The process produces an inflammatory response of the synovium secondary to hyperplasia of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development...
and other autoimmune diseases.
Technologies
Maxygen was established to commercially exploit its proprietary recombination-based technologies for creating genetic diversity, known as its Molecular Breeding directed evolutionDirected evolution
thumb|250px|right|An example of a possible round to evolve a protein based fluorescent sensor for a specific analyte using two consecutive FACS sortings...
platform. These technologies allow the generation of millions of variant genes and proteins, which then can be screened to identify those of potential commercial interest. This laboratory process mimics the powerful natural process of evolution. Maxygen’s work has led to numerous scientific publications and patents.
Other protein engineering
Protein engineering
Protein engineering is the process of developing useful or valuable proteins. It is a young discipline, with much research taking place into the understanding of protein folding and recognition for protein design principles....
and protein modification technologies used by Maxygen include mutagenesis
Mutagenesis
Mutagenesis is a process by which the genetic information of an organism is changed in a stable manner, resulting in a mutation. It may occur spontaneously in nature, or as a result of exposure to mutagens. It can also be achieved experimentally using laboratory procedures...
, rational design, PEGylation
PEGylation
PEGylation is the process of covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol polymer chains to another molecule, normally a drug or therapeutic protein. PEGylation is routinely achieved by incubation of a reactive derivative of PEG with the target macromolecule...
, glycosylation
Glycosylation
Glycosylation is the reaction in which a carbohydrate, i.e. a glycosyl donor, is attached to a hydroxyl or other functional group of another molecule . In biology glycosylation refers to the enzymatic process that attaches glycans to proteins, lipids, or other organic molecules...
, and de-immunization.
History
Maxygen was founded in 1997 by Dr. Alejandro ZaffaroniAlejandro Zaffaroni
Alejandro Zaffaroni is a serial entrepreneur who is responsible for founding several successful biotechnology companies in Silicon Valley....
, a San Francisco Bay Area scientist and entrepreneur, and 3 co-founders: Dr. Willem P.C. Stemmer
Willem P.C. Stemmer
Willem P.C. Stemmer has repeatedly invented technologies that have led to successful companies and products. Before, he founded Avidia after inventing its Avimer technology. In 1997, he founded Maxygen to commercialize the DNA shuffling technology, now called Molecular Breeding, which led to the...
, Dr. Russell Howard and Isaac Stein. Dr. Zaffaroni has founded multiple companies including ALZA
ALZA
Alza Corporation was a pharmaceutical and medical systems company founded in 1970's by Dr Alejandro Zaffaroni; the company's name is a portmanteau of his name. Alza pioneered the field of drug delivery systems, bringing over 20 prescription pharmaceutical products to market, and employing about...
Corporation, DNAX Research Institute, Affymax, Affymetrix
Affymetrix
Affymetrix is a company that manufactures DNA microarrays; it is based in Santa Clara, California, United States. The company was founded by Dr. Stephen Fodor in 1992. It began as a unit in Affymax N.V...
, Symyx Technologies
Symyx Technologies
Symyx Technologies is a pioneer in the area of combinatorial chemistry applied to heterogeneous catalysis and homogeneous catalysis, polymer formulations, electronic and magnetic materials....
, and Alexza.
Maxygen has demonstrated that the MolecularBreeding directed evolution platform has commercial potential in a number of areas, including agriculture, veterinary medicine, enzyme/chemical processes, and human therapeutics. To accelerate its development of improved biopharmaceuticals, Maxygen acquired the Danish company Profound Pharma
Profound Pharma
Profound Pharma A/S was a Danish company that discovered and developed 2nd generation biopharmaceuticals.- History :Created in Denmark in 1999 by Christian Karsten Hansen and Jan Møller Mikkelsen, formerly of Novo Nordisk, the company was funded by venture capital and a loan from Vækstfonden...
A/S in 2000, created by Christian Karsten Hansen
Christian Karsten Hansen
Christian Karsten Hansen, PhD is a Danish biotechnology entrepreneur and inventor, with work in new drugs, molecular biology and biochemistry.- Personal background :...
and Jan Møller Mikkelsen in 1999. To facilitate the commercial development of products made with its technologies, in 2002 Maxygen established Codexis Inc.
Codexis Inc.
Codexis, Inc. is an industrial biotechnology company that develops customized biocatalysts and microorganisms used in sustainable chemicals, biofuels and pharmaceutical processes. Codexis has partners such as Shell, Merck and Pfizer.- Biofuel :...
to focus on enzyme/chemical applications and Verdia Inc. to focus on agricultural applications. Verdia was sold to DuPont in 2004 for $64 million. In addition, Maxygen established Avidia in 2003 to develop protein subunits as commercial products, including therapeutics. Avidia was purchased by Amgen
Amgen
Amgen Inc. is an international biotechnology company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California. Located in the Conejo Valley, Amgen is the world's largest independent biotech firm. The company employs approximately 17,000 staff members. Its products include Epogen, Aranesp, Enbrel, Kineret,...
in 2006 for $290 million.
The company reported a fourth-quarter 2007 loss of $11.3M.