DuPont research project aims to enable global access for protein-based biologic medications

Gates Foundation Grant to address market need for high volume, affordable and rapid cycle time pharmaceutical proteins.

DuPont Industrial Biosciences today announced receipt of a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support a new area of research. The research project, which commences immediately, aims to create new production systems to enable affordable, protein-based biologic medications, such as antibodies.

Through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, DuPont will apply its world-class capabilities in the areas of protein engineering, pathway engineering and cell factories to the field of protein drugs.

The DuPont Industrial Biosciences business is a world leader in the manufacture and scale up of industrial proteins. When applied to pharmaceutical protein production, this approach has the potential to enable rapid scale-up and lower costs at high volumes, making protein drugs such as monoclonal antibodies potentially suitable for infectious diseases, effectively managing outbreaks and providing affordable supply to people around the world.

“We cannot underestimate the complexity of this challenge. At the same time, we cannot turn our backs on the possibility of improving access and affordability of life-saving medications for communities around the world,” said William F. Feehery, president, DuPont Industrial Biosciences. “This is cutting-edge science. We are honored to work with a leading organization like The Gates Foundation to tackle this type of issue, as no one company or entity can get there on their own.”

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has long recognized that solving the world’s greatest global health and development issues is a long-term effort, and they have shown enormous commitment to the discovery of new drugs through strategic partnerships and grants like this one. The foundation seeks ideas and solutions from diverse fields, investing in discovery research through a variety of mechanisms. DuPont has been at the forefront of scientific advancement for 214 years, applying the latest innovation to global challenges. In a time when public-funded research is diminishing, companies like DuPont are engaging in new ways with stakeholders across the public and private sectors to tackle large societal challenges.