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Integral Molecular Launches TiterSafe™ Influenza Virus-Like Particles for Safe and Convenient Vaccine Testing
Non-infectious TiterSafe particles can be used as a virus substitute in hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assays to test influenza vaccine efficacy.
Non-infectious TiterSafe particles can be used as a virus substitute in hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assays to test influenza vaccine efficacy.

Philadelphia – Integral Molecular, a leading provider of reagents for vaccine evaluation, announces the launch of TiterSafe™ influenza virus-like particles, an off-the-shelf virus-alternative for key experiments in testing influenza vaccines. Titersafe is a safe and convenient substitute for live virus that is ready for immediate use, reduces biosafety hazards for lab workers, and is well-suited for high-throughput assays. In contrast, traditional assays require the difficult preparation of live influenza virus, potentially expose researchers to infection, and need dedicated containment facilities for pandemic virus strains.

TiterSafe particles mimic the architecture of live virus, featuring surface influenza proteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) along with an interior protein core. Crucially, they lack DNA or RNA components that enable virus replication. The HA protein on TiterSafe particles behaves identically to HA on live virus in experiments, sticking to red blood cells and causing them to clump, or “hemagglutinate”. Inhibition of this clumping by anti-HA antibodies in serum (an “HAI assay”) is the standard FDA-accepted method for influenza vaccine assessment. TiterSafe comes in assay-ready portions for immediate use in HAI assays and is available with HA and NA variants to match seasonal strains of influenza.

“For over 20 years we have responded to viral threats including SARS-CoV-2, dengue, Zika, and now influenza by developing products that allow any lab to work safely with viruses,” said Kyle Doolan, Director of R&D at Integral Molecular. “While the FDA-accepted HAI assay is relatively easy to perform, scaling up reagents and working with highly infectious live viruses requires considerable time and resources. We are pleased to offer this off-the-shelf reagent that will enable vaccine developers to focus their time on more pressing research.”

TiterSafe is currently available for seasonal and pandemic influenza strains. Additional products will be released as new strains are announced.

About Integral Molecular
Integral Molecular (integralmolecular.com) is the industry leader in developing and applying innovative technologies that advance the discovery of therapeutics against difficult protein targets. With 20 years of experience focused on membrane proteins and antibodies, Integral Molecular’s technologies have been integrated into the drug discovery pipelines of over 500 biotech and pharmaceutical companies to help discover new therapies for cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and viral threats such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, and dengue viruses.

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Press Contact:
Integral Molecular, Inc.
Soma Banik, PhD, Director of Public Relations
215-966-6061
info@integralmolecular.com
www.integralmolecular.com

Integral Molecular Unveils Trispecific Molecules Targeting GPRC5D, BCMA, and CD3 for Multiple Myeloma

Philadelphia – Integral Molecular, a leading biotech company specializing in antibody discovery against undruggable protein targets will present multispecific molecules targeting GPRC5D, BCMA, and CD3 this week during the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) conference in San Diego.

Recent clinical data demonstrate that combination therapy of T cell engaging molecules individually targeting GPRC5D and BCMA on tumor cells offers unprecedented therapeutic benefits in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients. A trispecific antibody that simultaneously engages these molecules while activating T cells is expected to provide comparable and additional benefits as a monotherapy.

Integral Molecular’s oncology drug discovery program has yielded a panel of high affinity bispecific and trispecific molecules targeting GPRC5D, a GPCR target with complex structural biology. The molecules show picomolar cell-killing activity and are highly selective for their targets.

“For decades we have navigated the complexities of molecules like GPRC5D, successfully discovering antibodies against even the most challenging targets,” said Joseph Rucker, PhD, VP of R&D at Integral Molecular. “In just a few short months we were able to simultaneously target GPRC5D and BCMA, and we expect to rapidly advance this molecule into preclinical studies.”

The company leveraged its MPS antibody discovery platform to discover and engineer antibodies for this program. MPS is unique from other platforms in the use of RNA, DNA, and virus-like particles (VLPs, or Lipoparticles) to present properly folded membrane proteins, and the use of divergent species (chickens) to generate diverse antibody responses.

Dr. Rucker will present the company’s bi- and trispecific GPRC5D antibodies in a poster during the SITC 2023 conference. GPRC5D and other antibody assets from Integral Molecular are available for licensing.

About Integral Molecular
Integral Molecular (integralmolecular.com) is the industry leader in developing and applying innovative technologies that advance the discovery of therapeutics against difficult protein targets. With 20 years of experience focused on membrane proteins and antibodies, Integral Molecular’s technologies have been integrated into the drug discovery pipelines of over 500 biotech and pharmaceutical companies to help discover new therapies for cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and viral threats such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, and dengue viruses.

Follow Integral Molecular on LinkedIn

Press Contact:
Integral Molecular, Inc.
Soma Banik, PhD, Director of Public Relations
215-966-6061
info@integralmolecular.com
www.integralmolecular.com

Integral Molecular Secures Nearly $900K in NIH Funding to Discover Antibodies Against Difficult and Conserved Protein Targets

PHILADELPHIA–Integral Molecular, a leading biotech company specializing in antibody discovery against challenging protein targets, announces that it has been awarded NIH funding totaling $896,000. The NIH has identified 230 GPCRs and ion channels as underexplored targets with potential to impact human health as part of its project, Illuminating the Druggable Genome. Funding awarded by NIH enables Integral Molecular to discover antibodies against many of these targets. To enable better models of human disease, Integral Molecular has also received NIH funding to discover antibodies that target highly conserved proteins across species.

Integral Molecular will employ its MPS antibody discovery platform to discover antibodies for both initiatives. This platform is tailored to deliver molecules against difficult and conserved targets such as GPCRs and ion channels that are valuable drug targets. Integral Molecular’s strategy of generating antibodies in chickens is key for producing antibodies against conserved targets, a feat not easily achieved with conventional technologies. What additionally sets MPS apart from other platforms is the use of RNA and virus-like particles (VLPs, or Lipoparticles) for presenting properly folded membrane proteins to generate robust responses.

“With our decades-long experience studying complex proteins and an antibody success rate exceeding 95%, we are confident in delivering the desired molecules,” stated Ross Chambers, PhD, Vice President of Antibody Discovery at Integral Molecular. “Our isolation of antibodies reactive with diverse species will help reduce the use of non-human primates in research.”

Integral Molecular scientists will present the company’s antibody discovery strategies during the upcoming SITC conference. They will also describe the company’s pipeline featuring antibodies targeting claudin 6 and GPRC5D for multiple myeloma and other cancers.

About Integral Molecular
Integral Molecular (integralmolecular.com) is the industry leader in developing and applying innovative technologies that advance the discovery of therapeutics against difficult protein targets. With 20 years of experience focused on membrane proteins and antibodies, Integral Molecular’s technologies have been integrated into the drug discovery pipelines of over 500 biotech and pharmaceutical companies to help discover new therapies for cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and viral threats such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, and dengue viruses.

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Press Contact:
Integral Molecular, Inc.
Soma Banik, PhD, Director of Public Relations
215-966-6061
info@integralmolecular.com
www.integralmolecular.com

Webinar presented by Integral Molecular and Fierce Biotech – Innovative Research Tools to Combat Biological Threats

Thursday, October 12, 2023
8 am PT, 11 am ET, 17:00 CET
Register now

A fundamental research question continues to resonate today: How can we proactively develop countermeasures against future viral outbreaks?

Join leaders in industry and academia for this important, one-hour discussion on the latest technologies, experiences, and strategies within the study and development of therapeutics against emerging viruses, such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and dengue. We’ll explore:

  • The use of pseudovirus Reporter Virus Particles (RVPs) in place of live viruses
  • How to drive the safe study of new virus variants and mutations of interest
  • Why innovative research tools play a critical role in the development of vaccines and treatments for a range of biological threats
  • Real-world case studies from top industry organizations
  • And more

 

Fierce and Integral Molecular Webinar- Mobilizing Safe Research Tools for Pandemic Preparedness. Headshots of webinar speakers: Kyle Doolan, Ph.D. of Integral Molecular, Chun-Nan Chen, Ph.D. of Single Cell Technology, Inc. and James E. Crowe, Jr., M.D. of Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

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Webinar presented by Integral Molecular and Fierce Biotech – Conquering Undruggable Targets to Obtain Preclinical Antibodies

Thursday, September 14, 2023
8 am PT, 11 am ET, 17:00 CET
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Despite the remarkable growth of antibody-based therapies in recent years, numerous promising targets remain untapped. Many targets have resisted conventional discovery approaches because they are highly conserved, structurally complex, or they present other technical hurdles. In this webinar, industry experts will share innovative strategies they have used to unlock challenging targets including membrane proteins.

They will discuss:

  • Key questions that scientists should ask before embarking on an antibody discovery campaign
  • How to leverage advancements in immunization—including RNA—to target native epitopes and generate diverse antibodies
  • Strategies for unlocking conserved antibody targets using approaches such as divergent host species
  • Case studies of two challenging targets, claudin 6 and GPRC5D, with a focus on key innovations that led to the discovery of preclinical candidates including CTIM-76, a pre-IND (Investigational New Drug) stage molecule being developed for oncology therapeutics

 

Fierce Life Sciences and Integral Molecular webinar speakers banner

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Integral Molecular Awarded $1 Million by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to Support Biotechnology Pandemic Research Center

Integral Molecular group lab photoPHILADELPHIA–Integral Molecular is proud to announce that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has awarded the company $1M of funding through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) that will be used to support the further expansion of the company’s new headquarters and buildout of its Pandemic Research Center in Philadelphia. Integral Molecular recently inaugurated its new headquarters at One uCity Square in Philadelphia, and the upcoming expansion will add an additional 16,000 square feet of office space and laboratory facilities to continue the company’s development and manufacturing of research reagents to study emerging viruses. The fully expanded facility enables the company to double its present workforce in the region, reaching a total of 200 technology jobs.

With 20+ years of experience studying viruses, Integral Molecular has been on the forefront of biotechnology and innovation in Pennsylvania’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. Integral Molecular has developed over 75 variants of safe SARS-CoV-2 “pseudovirus” for researchers seeking an alternative to working with “live” virus capable of causing disease. These research tools are enabling laboratories around the world to develop vaccines and antiviral therapeutics. The company recently expanded its virology offerings to include influenza, Ebola, Marburg, dengue, and Zika pseudovirus reporter particles for safe laboratory testing.

“Scientific discoveries in Philadelphia have had a major impact on our community. We are proud of having the region dubbed ‘Cellicon Valley’ as the birthplace of cell and gene therapy, as well as revolutionary technologies like RNA immunization,” said Vincent Hughes, State Senator of Pennsylvania. “We are thrilled to support Integral Molecular in their mission of pandemic-preparedness and recognize the value of their expansion along with the jobs it will create in the region.” Integral Molecular’s $1M funding received is part of nearly $29M in RACP funding announced by Senator Hughes’ office.

About Integral Molecular
Integral Molecular (integralmolecular.com) is the industry leader in developing and applying innovative technologies that advance the discovery of therapeutics against difficult protein targets. With 20 years of experience focused on membrane proteins and antibodies, Integral Molecular’s technologies have been integrated into the drug discovery pipelines of over 500 biotech and pharmaceutical companies to help discover new therapies for cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and viral threats such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, and dengue viruses.

Follow Integral Molecular on LinkedIn
Follow Integral Molecular on Twitter

Press Contact:
Integral Molecular, Inc.
Soma Banik, PhD, Director of Public Relations
215-966-6061
info@integralmolecular.com
www.integralmolecular.com

A Shot in the Arm for Flu Research: Integral Molecular Introduces Off-the-Shelf Reagents to Evaluate 2023/2024 Influenza Vaccine Efficacy

PHILADELPHIA–Integral Molecular, a leader in providing safe, off-the-shelf Reporter Virus Particles (RVPs) to study vaccine efficacy, has expanded its extensive portfolio with RVPs for influenza strains recently recommended by WHO for 2023/2024 seasonal influenza vaccines. These RVPs offer researchers a ready-to-use reagent to reliably test vaccinee serum for influenza neutralization, providing an alternative to the standard assay method requiring laborious preparation of live viruses in cells or eggs.

RVPs are “pseudoviruses” lacking viral components that enable replication, and so are safe under standard (BSL2) laboratory conditions, unlike many viruses or pandemic strains that require restrictive and limited (BSL4) facilities. RVPs display a quantitative and reproducible readout, enabling simple virus infectivity neutralization assays.

Integral Molecular has 20+ years’ experience in RVP production, and all of the company’s RVPs are extensively quality-controlled and validated. With excellent reproducibility and ease of use, RVPs are commonly used as critical reagents for high-throughput testing of hundreds or thousands of samples in vaccine efficacy trials.

“Our experience supplying the industry with RVPs reflecting the rapidly mutating SARS-CoV-2 virus enhanced our ability to quickly respond to evolving viral threats,” said Kyle Doolan, PhD, Director of Research at Integral Molecular. “Our ability to generate a panel of Influenza RVPs so quickly after the WHO announcement, again demonstrates our ability to respond rapidly with research tools that alleviate the burden of producing ‘live’ viruses.”

Integral Molecular’s seasonal Influenza RVPs represent specific strains for influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 and influenza B. Integral Molecular also offers a broad range of RVPs for other influenza strains including A H5N1 and H7N9, along with RVPs for an extensive selection of SARS-CoV-2 variants, and dengue, Zika, chikungunya, Ebola, and Nipah viruses.

About Integral Molecular
Integral Molecular (integralmolecular.com) is the industry leader in developing and applying innovative technologies that advance the discovery of therapeutics against difficult protein targets. With 20 years of experience focused on membrane proteins and antibodies, Integral Molecular’s technologies have been integrated into the drug discovery pipelines of over 500 biotech and pharmaceutical companies to help discover new therapies for cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and viral threats such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, and dengue viruses.

Follow Integral Molecular on LinkedIn
Follow Integral Molecular on Twitter

Press Contact:
Integral Molecular, Inc.
Soma Banik, PhD, Director of Public Relations
215-966-6061
info@integralmolecular.com
www.integralmolecular.com

Genetic Engineering and Integral Molecular Present – Specificity Testing of Antibody and CAR-T Cell Therapies for IND Using the Membrane Proteome Array

 

Thursday, June 22, 2023
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Rigorous specificity analysis is critical for successful drug development and a safety requirement for antibody-based therapies, such as CAR-T, entering IND. Tissue cross-reactivity (TCR) studies have been traditionally used to screen for off-target binding; however, their predictive value for in vivo safety and toxicity is poor. Integral Molecular has developed the Membrane Proteome Array (MPA) platform to de-risk antibody-based therapeutics by testing specificity across the full human membrane proteome expressed in live cells. Using sensitive high-throughput flow cytometry to identify binding interactions on a protein level, this technology has emerged as the leading solution for antibody specificity profiling.

In this GEN webinar, our panelists will discuss their experiences using the MPA to rapidly identify potential off-target interactions, resulting in successful IND filings for CAR-T cell therapies where conventional approaches did not suffice. We will also describe the newest additions to this 6,000-protein cell array and the status of its consideration by the FDA as a qualified Drug Development Tool.

With a focus on specificity screening, this webinar assembles experts in antibody discovery and development and features presentations from Integral Molecular, Cabaletta Bio, and The University of Pennsylvania.

  • Understand how Integral Molecular’s MPA is used to identify potential off-target binding liabilities
  • Learn how MPA data supports IND submissions with advantages over traditional tissue cross-reactivity studies
  • Discover how the MPA was used to rapidly evaluate the specificity of novel CAR-T cell therapies for autoimmunity and cancer

 

GEN and Integral Molecular Webinar- Specificity Testing of Antibody and CAR-T Cell Therapies for IND Using the Membrane Proteome Array. Headshots of webinar speakers: Rachel Fong of Integral Molecular, Darshil Patel of Cabaletta Bio and Donald Siegel of University of Pennsylvania.

Integral Molecular Opens New Research Center in Philadelphia Encompassing Pandemic Preparedness Laboratories
Integral Molecular Ribbon cutting at uCity Square
Integral Molecular inaugurates its new research center on April 20, 2023.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together the company’s co-founders and leaders, Ben Doranz, Sharon Willis, Joseph Rucker, and Ross Chambers, elected government officials Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, along with current and retired members of the University City Science Center, Tiffany Wilson and Curt Hess.

Pictures by Todd

PHILADELPHIA–Integral Molecular, a founding member of Philadelphia’s biotech community, announces the official opening of its 32,000 square foot headquarters and integrated research facilities that will include its pandemic preparedness laboratories. Integral Molecular is the first tenant to move into One uCity, a 13-story, 400,000 square foot commercial research building that will celebrate its opening later this year.

Integral Molecular has been at the forefront of Pennsylvania’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the company’s technologies for studying viruses have contributed to its extraordinary growth since 2020. When fully occupied, the company’s new site will accommodate 200 employees and add 100 new technology-based jobs to the region. This growth doubles the footprint of Integral Molecular’s headquarters and comes just a few years after its last expansion in 2019, which saw the opening of a second research facility.

“Our expansion in uCity Square marks a new and exciting time for Integral Molecular,” said Ben Doranz, co-founder and CEO of Integral Molecular. “Throughout the pandemic we have provided safe ‘pseudovirus’ particles as a critical reagent to vaccine developers seeking alternatives to ‘live’ virus. With our expanded infrastructure, we have more capacity for R&D and manufacturing and can quickly mobilize our technologies to combat future viral threats.”

Integral Molecular inaugurated its new site yesterday in an event attended by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and local leaders. The company’s new laboratories at One uCity are now fully operational, and planning is underway for a second phase of expansion.

“Integral Molecular is a long-time leader of Philadelphia’s biotech community and we are thrilled to see the company expand in our booming life sciences hub,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. “Philadelphia is the birthplace of cell and gene therapy. Currently, there are billions of dollars of life science projects in various stages of planning and development in Philadelphia, setting the stage for tremendous growth in jobs and scientific advances. Integral Molecular continues to produce innovative research solutions and help companies around the world advance therapeutics while expanding skills-based job training opportunities for Philadelphians of all ages.”

“Integral Molecular has been at the forefront of Philadelphia’s burgeoning life sciences community for over two decades and embodies all that our ecosystem has to offer in terms of talent, research, and collaboration,” said Pete Cramer, Vice President, Development at Wexford Science & Technology. “We are thrilled to support and celebrate Integral’s continued growth and expansion at uCity Square.” One uCity is the newest addition to the uCity Square innovation community being developed by Wexford Science & Technology, Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR), and the University City Science Center.

About Integral Molecular
Integral Molecular (integralmolecular.com) is the industry leader in developing and applying innovative technologies that advance the discovery of therapeutics against difficult protein targets. With 20 years of experience focused on membrane proteins and antibodies, Integral Molecular’s technologies have been integrated into the drug discovery pipelines of over 500 biotech and pharmaceutical companies to help discover new therapies for cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and viral threats such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, and dengue viruses.

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About uCity Square
Located in Philadelphia’s University City neighborhood, uCity Square is an 8.0 million-square-foot mixed-use community consisting of laboratory, clinical, office, retail, and residential space. As the central hub for medical and life science innovations, particularly in cell and gene therapy, uCity Square is surrounded by top-tier colleges and universities, independent research institutions, world-renowned hospitals, and is a center of connectivity for residents, students, professionals, and entrepreneurs alike. The project is a joint development by developer Wexford Science & Technology, LLC, real estate investment trust and capital partner Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR), and the University City Science Center.
For more info: www.ucitysquare.com.

Press Contact:
Integral Molecular, Inc.
Soma Banik, PhD, Director of Public Relations
One uCity Square, 25 N. 38th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-966-6061
info@integralmolecular.com
www.integralmolecular.com

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