High-yield microbial expression, engineered
for scalable biologic production

A proven expression platform with a 20-year track record across
approved therapeutics, vaccines, and global tech transfers.

Pfenex Expression Technology® is a Pseudomonas fluorescens–based platform designed to move efficiently from
construct to production strain and transferable manufacturing process.

WHY PFENEX

The Pfenex platform combines high-yield microbial expression with scalable manufacturing to support programs from discovery through world-wide regulatory approval. Pfenex is 100% compatible with existing microbial infrastructure, systems, and know-how. Adopting it doesn’t require retooling or retraining.

CORE ADVANTAGES

Robust, High-Yield Expression

  • High titers across a variety of recombinant proteins
  • Exceptional performance with antibody fragments and engineered proteins.
  • High success rate producing correctly folded, soluble lead proteins

Development Speed

  • High-throughput screening and structured workflows
  • Rapid progression from construct to production strain
  • Integrated analytics supporting faster go/no-go decisions

Scalable, Validated Process

  • Designed for seamless scale-up and tech transfer
  • Compatible with standard microbial infrastructure
  • Proven across clinical and commercial programs

HOW the PFENEX platform WORKS

Strain Engineering, Screening & Expression Strategy

We find the right expression strategy your protein needs.

  • High-throughput screening of gene–vector–strain combinations
  • Vector, promoter, and expression optimization
  • Cytoplasmic, periplasmic, and extracellular localization evaluation
  • 2 L fermentation scouting

Once a lead strain is identified, we establish a Research Cell Bank (RCB) to support reproducible development.

Specialized Capabilities Within Pfenex

Protein Secretion
Direct recovery from the culture medium simplifies
purification and improves product quality.

Non-Canonical Amino Acid (ncAA) Incorporation
High-titer production of ncAA containing molecules.

Research Cell Bank Establishment

A stable, reproducible production strain ready for pre-clinical manufacturing and to support GMP cell bank production.

 

  • Cell bank generation
  • Identity, purity, viability, and identity confirmation
  • Stability characterization

Process Development

Build a manufacturing process that survives tech transfer, provides sufficient material for all phases of development and holds at commercial scale.

Upstream Development

  • Internal fermentation capacity from 1L to 100L working volume
  • Process parameters tuned for maximum production, not just expression
  • Inherent P. fluorescens robustness enables production up to 180,000L 

Downstream Processing & Purification

  • Recovery and clarification tuned to your product’s critical quality needs
  • Chromatography designed for purity at commercial throughput
  • Periplasmic expression results in cleaner starting material

Integrated Analytical Methods

  • Methods developed simultaneously with the process, not after 
  • Product quality characterization supports regulatory requirements 
  • Methods travel with the process during tech transfer 

      Technology Transfer

      Your fully documented process is transferable to any capable CDMO or internal manufacturing site.

      • Complete process documentation provided
      • Hands on, person-in-plant transfer support
      • Backed by 25+ global tech transfers, including major pharmas

      PROVEN SUCCESS

      6

      approved biologics

      25+

      global tech transfers

      30+

      clinical programs

      200+

      lead proteins generated

      Ready to advance your protein?