Reber Genetics Co., Ltd., a leading animal vaccine R&D company, recently completed a successful visit and technical exchange at the headquarters of Japan’s Kaico Co., Ltd. The purpose of the trip was to gain a deeper understanding of Kaico's cutting-edge technology utilizing silkworm cells for recombinant protein expression and to evaluate the potential for collaboration in the fields of animal vaccines and protein-based pharmaceuticals.
Visit Background and Introduction to Kaico’s Technology
Kaico Co., Ltd. specializes in producing high-value, high-purity proteins using the Silkworm Expression System (SES). The SES offers several advantages, making it an ideal platform for developing novel biological products:
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High Efficiency and Yield: Silkworm cells can express large quantities of recombinant protein with great efficiency, particularly suitable for large-scale production.
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Excellent Glycosylation Capability: Silkworm cells are capable of performing complex glycosylation, similar to that in mammals. This is crucial for many protein-based pharmaceuticals (such as antibodies and vaccine antigens) that require the correct structure for maintaining activity.
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High Safety: Compared to mammalian cell systems, the silkworm cell system is free from mammalian viruses, providing a highly safe production environment.
Key Areas of Exchange and Future Outlook
During the visit, the Reber Genetics team engaged in extensive and deep technical discussions with Kaico’s R&D and management teams, focusing on the following areas:
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Animal Vaccine Antigen Production: Exploring the use of Kaico's silkworm cell expression technology for the high-efficiency and low-cost production of key antigen proteins required for Reber Genetics' novel swine and avian vaccines currently under development.
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High-Quality Antibody Development: Evaluating the application of the SES platform for producing high-purity antibodies needed for diagnostic kits, aiming to improve the accuracy and speed of animal disease detection.
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Integration of Innovative Technologies: Discussing the potential to combine Reber Genetics' expertise in vaccine adjuvants and formulation with Kaico's recombinant protein expression technology to co-develop a new generation of animal health products.
Dr. Frank CJ. Chang, CTO for Reber Genetics, stated: "Kaico Co., Ltd.'s achievements in the silkworm expression system are deeply impressive. We believe that by combining Kaico's efficient and high-quality protein production capability with Reber Genetics' extensive experience in animal disease mechanisms, vaccine R&D, and clinical application, the two companies are poised to establish a groundbreaking collaboration model, which will lead to revolutionary progress, particularly in addressing emerging animal epidemics."
Reber Genetics will continue to promote collaboration and exchange with top international technology companies. By introducing and integrating the most cutting-edge biotechnology platforms, we aim to accelerate product line innovation and diversification, providing more forward-looking solutions for global animal health and the livestock industry.
About Kaico Co., Ltd.:
Kaico Co., Ltd., founded in Japan, specializes in utilizing its proprietary technology—the Silkworm Expression System (SES)—to produce high value-added recombinant proteins. Its application areas include pharmaceutical raw materials, animal vaccines, in vitro diagnostic reagents, and high-functional foods.