Leiden, Netherlands, April 26, 2022 – ProteoNic, a leading provider of premium vector technology and services for efficient production of biologics, and NecstGen, a CDMO and centre of excellence for Cell and Gene Therapy, announce a partnership for the development of improved viral vector manufacturing for gene therapy applications. Both companies, located on the Leiden Bio Science Park, recognise the need to increase viral titres and optimise production processes. Cost-efficiency and manufacturing yield play a critical role in the feasibility of vector-based therapies. Through their combined efforts ProteoNic and NecstGen aim to improve and advance AAV and LV viral vector manufacturing technology and increase production capacity, to the ultimate benefit of patients in need of Gene Therapies.

ProteoNic will apply its established 2G UNic™ technology platform to improve viral vector performance. NecstGen, specialised in the manufacturing and development of various viral vector types, contributes its viral vector platforms, manufacturing processes and experts as part of this partnership. Ultimately the companies strive for the acceleration of novel Gene Therapies by removing existing road blocks related to production efficiency and capacity.

Frank Pieper, CEO of ProteoNic commented “ProteoNic has a strong track record of improving vector performance and production levels in a range of applications. We believe that together with NecstGen we can improve the production efficiency of viral vectors for Gene Therapy, and thereby alleviate current manufacturing constraints”.

Paul Bilars CEO, NecstGen said “This action shows the strength and importance of the local ecosystem, and how working together we can address the challenges of Gene Therapy development and their translation to solutions for patients and society”.

About ProteoNic

ProteoNic is a privately held company with offices in Leiden, the Netherlands and in the Boston area, USA. The company offers technology and services for the generation of cell lines with greatly improved production characteristics, including production levels and stability. The company commercializes its proprietary 2G UNic™ technology through licensing and partnership arrangements. For more information, see www.proteonic.nl.

About NecstGen

NecstGen is a new centre of excellence for Cell and Gene Therapy, located in a purpose-built GMP facility on the largest bio-cluster in the Netherlands, Leiden Bio Science Park. Here, NecstGen provides critical contract development, manufacturing and rental services to academic and small/large industrial therapy developers to deliver a new generation of therapies to patients. For more information visit www.necstgen.com.

For more information please contact:

ProteoNic

Mark Posno, PhD

Vice President Business Development

T: +1 617 480 8016

E: posno@proteonic.nl

NecstGen

Tristan Pritchard-Meaker, PhD

Head of Business Development

E: tristan@necstgen.com

Today, the Novo Nordisk Foundation announced the € 300 million funding of an international consortium including Leiden University Medical Center, the Danstem Institute at the University of Copenhagen and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne to bring stem cell-based therapies from the laboratory to the patient.

NecstGen collaborates in this consortium as development and manufacturing partner to help advance cell and gene therapies through clinical development.

During a 10-year period, the consortium will focus on tissue reconstruction, clinical application of stem cells, and genetic modification techniques.

Today, NecstGen announces the strategic collaboration with Cytiva, a solutions provider in life sciences.

Cytiva offers, among others, specialized expertise in industrial manufacturing of Cell and Gene Therapies.

Together, NecstGen and Cytiva will share knowledge, expertise and learnings to accelerate the development of future therapies, bringing these to patients faster.

NecstGen announces the addition of Johan Hyllner to its strategic advisory board. Johan Hyllner is leading expert in cell therapy and enabling technologies. He is professor of engineering biology at Linköping University, Sweden and head of the Cell Therapy BioPharmaceutical R&D at AstraZeneca. He was responsible for building five startups, including Cellartis and Cellectis, in the cell therapy field into successful international businesses.

“I am excited to join NecstGen’s advisory board. Cell and gene therapies offer great potential to provide something better than existing medicines. It is important to promote this next generation of medicines. NecstGen does this by actively supporting the first steps of their manufacturing. This will ultimately help combat some of the most complex diseases.” Says Prof. Hyllner.

Johan Hyllner obtained his doctorate at the University of Gothenburg. He is devoted to both scientific and industrial aspects of cell therapy, publishing over 60 peer reviewed articles in this field. Since 2012, he is adjunct Professor of engineering biology at the department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Linköping University, Sweden. Throughout the last 20 years, Johan was a C-level executive in five startup companies in the cell therapy field and built these into successful international businesses. Among others, as CSO, he has been part of building Cellectis, Cellartis, SQC Lab and Vitrolife into thriving entities. From 2013 he held the position as CSO of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult Ltd, London, a high-profile innovation centre established by the British government, where he helped grow the organization from 12 to 170 people. In 2019, he joined AstraZeneca, where he is leading Cell Therapy BioPharmaceuticals R&D. Here, he is responsible for the discovery and development of cell therapy based projects from discovery to clinic across cardiovascular, renal, metabolic, respiratory and immunological diseases. In this role, he oversees the strategic direction of this newly-formed department while building capabilities both internally and through collaborations. Prof. Hyllner brings vast experience in applied research through development to global marketing, manufacturing and commercialization of advanced cell-based products. In addition, he has extensive experience of strategic outlining and execution, external scientific relations, assessment of candidate projects and technical oversight of preclinical programs.

NecstGen announces that the Dutch constructor Kuijpers has obtained the contract for the construction of its Cell- and Gene Therapy facility. Throughout the next year, NecstGen’s facility will be constructed in Mirai House on the largest Life Science and Health hub of The Netherlands, the Leiden Bio Science Park. Kuijpers is specialised in the design and construction of cleanrooms and GMP facilities. As main contractor the company will be responsible for technical installations and construction.

“We are pleased with the collaboration with Kuijpers, and look forward to a successful construction trajectory. This brings us one step closer to realizing our mission – to bring more regenerative therapies, faster to the patient,” comments Paul Bilars, CEO of NecstGen.