Brink Biologics Announces Research License Agreement with Worcester Polytechnic Institute for Use of NantKwest’s NK-92 Cells

Brink Biologics, Inc., a NantKwest, Inc. (Nasdaq:NK) affiliate who serves as exclusively-licensed distributor of NantKwest’s proprietary NK-92 natural killer cells, offers a variety of research grade aNK and haNK cell lines for non-clinical laboratory use in discovery, translational and developmental research and lot release testing for commercial products ranging from monoclonal antibodies, bi-specific biologics, cytokines and other bioactive products.

Using living cells for functional assays such as ADCC, ADCVI and Cytokine Release Assays approximates closely what one would see in live animal models. Through the use of NK-92 natural killer cells in these assays, assay variability and unreliability are minimized. For this reason, NK-92 cells are rapidly becoming the preferred next-generation bioanalytical testing solution among large pharma commercial developers, biosimilar developers, medical research institutions, universities and the global research community.

Through a limited arrangement, Brink Biologics is pleased to announce that the company has non-exclusively licensed its next generation bioanalytical testing solution to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). The terms of the agreement are not disclosed.

Jeannine Coburn, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, will use the cells in her research into the development of clinically translatable drug delivery strategies and three-dimensional in vitro human disease models using biologically-derived biomaterials.

“This agreement demonstrates the respect that research institutions have for NantKwest’s proprietary rights in its innovative cell lines and foundational technologies. Every laboratory should get its NK-92 cells from Brink Biologics, which is the only licensed commercial and research distributor of genuine NK-92,” said Mark Kokes, Chief Intellectual Property Officer of NantWorks, LLC, supporting Brink Biologics and NantKwest.

Patrick Soon-Shiong, MD, Chairman and CEO of NantKwest added, “With over 200 publications citing the use of NantKwest’s NK-92 cells, the unique, enabling and proprietary characteristics of these novel natural killer cells are well established. NK-92 cell-supported assays have become the trusted and increasingly popular choice of large pharma and biotech companies for their growing antibody development programs and commercial product release testing.”