Karen King, President of DSM Biologics, discussed the implications of the company's recent joint venture with Crucell, which has increased upstream productivity. The technology, PER.C, has reportedly boosted fermentation yields in human cells to over 27 grams/L compared with 15 g/L a few months ago. Higher yields will enable smaller, more flexible and less expensive production.(For more on this collaboration, click here). For a brief audio clip of the interview click here. A native of Illinois, Ms. King seemed a bit wistful about leaving Evanston, but says she is getting used to and enjoying life in New Jersey.
DSM Biologics' next focus, she says, will be on bioseparations, which, within the industry, has not always kept pace with upstream.
Green chemistry and PAT remain cornerstones of the company's culture, she and colleagues noted. Meanwhile, news of the winner of DSM's 2008 innovation award came yesterday: Andreas Walther, at the University of Bayreuth, who has developed new polymer materials based on "Janus" particles, whose two surfaces can interact differently, and specifically with diverse materials. The materials show promise for sensor development and new drug delivery systems.
For more, read on.
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