This proposal will develop a “biobetter” Rituxan - a monoclonal antibody therapy that has dramatically changed the outlook for patients with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Our biobetter, produced in hydroponic plants, will have enhanced ability to kill cancer cells, but impose no additional risks or side effects to patients. Because of our unique plant-based biomanufacturing platform, the biobetter will be substantially less expensive, reducing costs by at least one third.

In the first two years of the project, we will develop the biobetter and perform all testing and preclinical evaluation required by the FDA. In the third year, we will perform the initial clinica...

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This proposal will develop a “biobetter” Rituxan - a monoclonal antibody therapy that has dramatically changed the outlook for patients with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Our biobetter, produced in hydroponic plants, will have enhanced ability to kill cancer cells, but impose no additional risks or side effects to patients. Because of our unique plant-based biomanufacturing platform, the biobetter will be substantially less expensive, reducing costs by at least one third.

In the first two years of the project, we will develop the biobetter and perform all testing and preclinical evaluation required by the FDA. In the third year, we will perform the initial clinical trial in humans with cancer. Caliber Biotherapeutics is uniquely positioned to develop this new generation of cancer cures. Caliber will utilize its expert scientists, physicians, and pharmaceutical production facility that have been brought together by the US government as a core asset for the national response to pandemic influenza.

Caliber’s facility is the largest known plant-made pharmaceutical facility in the world; it will have the ability to produce approximately 20,000 doses of biobetter Rituxan each month, at substantially reduced cost. At the end of this project Caliber will be positioned to develop biobetter forms of other cancer therapies, such as Herceptin and Avastin, and will be one of the largest economic engines fueling the economy and job growth within Texas.

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