LIONEX is a growing biotech company with exceptional commitment to the problems of tropical diseases such as TB and HIV infection. It is a partner of BioRegioN Niedersachsen, a highly active biotech oriented region in Germany. LIONEX has excellent facilities and expertise in recombinant DNA technology, microarrays, production of high quality, recombinant proteins for research and diagnostics. More than 100 recombinant proteins of M. tuberculosis have already been produced by LIONEX and are available in significant quantities. Several of the LIONEX products are currently under development as therapeutics for cancer, atherosclerosis and asthma. Its CEO, Professor Singh, has been engaged in research on mycobacterial antigens for the last 17 years. He has supervised research projects funded by the WHO, European Commission, German Science Foundation and   German Government. Prof. Singh is involved in national and international research projects on TB, HIV, asthma and mycobacterial genetics. He is currently the co-ordinator of two EC projects “NEW TB Drugs” and FASTEST-TB”. All necessary equipment and facilities to carry out the project work are available at LIONEX including P2 and access to P3 facilities.

Main staff involved in the project

Professor Mahavir Singh, CEO.

Dr. Ralf Spallek is an expert on protein purification and has been responsible for the recombinant antigens in the EC projects. Dr. Wulf Oehlmann has several years of experience in gene cloning and expression of foreign proteins in E.coli, insect cells and M. smegmatis. He is also responsible for strain characterisation and cell banks. Dr. Fatima Jonas and Susanne Kaempfer are experts for ELISAs and rapid test development and evaluation. Annika Bosse and Jessica Kaye are biotech engineers, well-trained in gene expression, protein purification and diagnostic assay development.

List of scientific and technical personnel involved

LIONEX shall be responsible for the development, optimisation of production of vaccine candidates for the Transvac consortium.