Improving the production of hard-to-make therapeutic proteins using engineered yeast.
Official title: Designer Pichia Strains That Enable Difficult-To-Express Biologics Production by Addressing Limitations in Secretory Protein Expression
Funded at Codomax INC. · NIH-11007472 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help yeast cells produce important therapeutic proteins more efficiently, which could lead to better treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Codomax INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $350,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R41TR005278-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11007472 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include patients requiring therapies that rely on difficult-to-express proteins, such as certain biologics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require biologic therapies or those whose conditions are not addressed by the proteins produced through this method may not benefit.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the production of therapeutic proteins that are typically difficult to express in high yields. By utilizing a novel platform called Epi-MAX, which combines omics and computational techniques, the researchers aim to improve how yeast cells produce these proteins. The approach involves reprogramming the cells' translation mechanisms to better match the genetic instructions for protein synthesis, potentially leading to significant increases in protein yield. Patients may benefit from this research as it could lead to more effective and accessible therapeutic proteins.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more efficient production of therapeutic proteins, making treatments more available and affordable for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in enhancing protein production using similar genetic engineering approaches, indicating a potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Codomax INC.
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Byrne, Shane — Codomax INC.
- Study coordinator: Byrne, Shane
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.