Overview

Althea Technologies Inc., founded in 1997, offers specialized custom genomic analyses and cGMP contract manufacturing for genetic vaccine and gene therapy products. The company was formed with the aim of accelerating gene-based drug development by supporting researchers in their attempts to understand the mechanisms of disease and develop new therapeutics.

Althea’s gene quantification department specializes in developing custom PCR assays for DNA (Q-PCR) and RNA (QRT-PCR) targets. Q-PCR assays are designed for applications including biodistribution and integration studies for gene therapy and DNA vaccination protocols. QRT-PCR assays are specifically developed for the analysis of gene expression in all phases of drug development. All assays are performed using real-time PCR in a GLP environment. Additional services provided by Althea include testing for the quantitation of host cell DNA contamination in plasmid and viral vector preparations, and replication competent virus in viral vectors.

Althea’s contract manufacturing department offers a range of services, including process development with establishment and characterization of master and working cell banks, process scale-up and optimization, bulk drug production, and packaging. It also offers regulatory services related to filing of investigational new drug applications.