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.
CORE ADVANTAGES
High-Yield Expression
- High titers across a variety of recombinant proteins
- Exceptional antibody fragment and engineered protein performance
- 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. Adopting it doesn’t require retooling or retraining.
- Proven across clinical and commercial programs
PROVEN SUCCESS
6
approved biologics
25+
global tech transfers
30+
clinical programs
200+
lead proteins generated
Approved vaccines and therapeutics marketed worldwide by leading pharmaceutical companies.
CRM197 produced in the Pfenex platform is used in two FDA- and EMA-approved pneumococcal vaccines, VAXNEUVANCE® and CAPVAXIVE®.
Rylaze® achieved FDA approval in under six years from initial DNA cloning. Watch Jazz’s video ▸
Teriparatide Injection for post-menopausal osteoporosis was the first approved drug produced using the Pfenex platform.
Pneumosil® and MenFive® use Pfenex-produced CRM197 as their carrier protein.
All trademarks not owned by Primrose Bio are owned by their respective holders.
HOW the PFENEX platform WORKS
- Strain Engineering, Screening & Expression Strategy
- Research Cell Bank Establishment
- Process Development
- Technology Transfer
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.
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.
A stable, robust production strain ready for preclinical manufacturing and to support GMP cell bank production.
- Cell bank generation
- Identity, purity, and viability confirmation
- Stability characterization
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
- Product quality characterization supports regulatory requirements
- Methods travel with the process during tech 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
