Over the last one decade, Dr Supriya Kashikar has been working towards assessing & implementing effective scientific solutions. She established Genext Genomics to address the issues related to medical needs of current biotechnology hurdles concerning cost aiming at providing an innovative platform at an affordable cost with quality research.
In an exclusive interview, Supriya Kashikar, Founder & CEO, GeNext Genomics shares her insights on the company’s current operations, collaboration with Merck and long-term goals.
What is the vision behind GeNext Genomics and key milestones achieved since its inception in 2011?
Founded and led by a team of scientists with deep experience in academia and industry, GeNext Genomics is committed to scientific excellence and client-centered solutions. While it initially focused on delivering targeted solutions for life science customers, over time, it has transformed into a research-driven life science and contract research organisation, dedicated to advancing the field through innovation and a high standard of excellence.
The company is known for its innovative work in developing recombinant proteins and antibodies targeting clinically relevant markers. It achieves this by integrating bioinformatics, recombinant DNA technology, proteomics, and immunology with advanced high-throughput methodologies. Recognizing the heavy reliance on imported antibodies, along with the challenges associated with customs delays and high turnaround times, GNG set out to create an indigenous solution. GNG’s mission is to build self-reliance in antibody development and manufacturing, providing timely and high-quality solutions for India’s biotech needs.
Our proprietary HIND™ (Human Immune Naïve Discovery) antibody library exemplifies an innovative approach to monoclonal antibody research. Additionally, we have expanded its focus into biosimilar development, receiving National Biopharma Mission funding twice to support clone development and optimization for pre-clinical studies. The company developed the Bovi-TheiDX Theileriosis Detection Kit, a highly sensitive PCR-based diagnostic kit for animal health, showcasing GNG’s capacity for impactful diagnostic solutions.
What are the company’s product offerings and who are your major clients in India?
We specialize in large-scale expression and purification of both native and recombinant proteins from a variety of sources. Our core expertise includes the development of diagnostic and therapeutic proteins and the generation of antibody libraries using various platforms. Additionally, our advancements in antibodies and protein engineering have been remarkable in the past decades, paving the way for further groundbreaking discoveries in the field.
The company offers a wide range of recombinant proteins for research use. Leveraging its propriety protein expression technology, the company has been able to deliver challenging proteins across various bacterial and mammalian expression systems, accommodating a broad range of source materials.
“The GNG-Merck collaboration creates a unique competitive edge by combining local expertise with global biomanufacturing capabilities.”
GeNext Genomics provides a diverse selection of antibodies against biological targets investigated in academic and pharmaceutical institutions. We focus on developing recombinant, monoclonal, and polyclonal antibodies that are unique in binding a new epitope or in recognising a new target. We also offer molecular biology products and in terms of diagnostics, have also developed various antibodies for IVD in the Veterinary and Human diagnostic space and also manufactures these reagents in bulk quantity.
Furthermore, the company is expanding its biosimilar portfolio and is funded by National Biopharma Mission, BIRAC to take one of the candidates to pre-clinical studies. The company focuses on enhancing clone development capabilities for biosimilar molecules and pipeline of novel biologics targeting various conditions, such as inflammation and infectious diseases, broadening its research impact in both therapeutic and diagnostic fields.
What are your service offerings and which segments do you cater to in terms of contract research services?
At GeNext Genomics, we leverage expertise in protein engineering to enhance molecule reliability and binding efficacy. With a team of biologists and immunologists, we are continually advancing solutions for protein-antibody interactions and protein effectiveness. Our approach to developing recombinant proteins and antibodies is distinguished by the use of innovative high-throughput technologies, ensuring reliable and impactful research outcomes.
Under Therapeutic Antibody Services, we offer Phage Display Antibody Library Services, Cell Line Development and also bio-Similars. GNG specializes in developing monoclonal antibodies both for therapeutic applications and diagnostic purposes. GNG provides assay development services and clone development services. The company offers biosimilar development services up to the analytical study phase, establishing comparability to reference products.
GNG offers Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) analytical services to study biomolecular interactions in real-time. These techniques provide precise data on binding kinetics, affinity, and concentration, which are crucial for understanding the interactions between proteins, antibodies, and other biomolecules, thereby supporting the development of therapeutic candidates.
These services are structured to meet the requirements of biopharma companies, diagnostic firms, and academic researchers, supporting the development of cutting-edge therapies, diagnostics, and research applications.
Key objectives and expected outcomes from your recent collaboration with Merck? Any upcoming collaborations in the pipeline?
GeNext Genomics has tapped into the growing biotech sector by partnering with Merck as of September this year to advance India’s biopharma landscape. This collaboration will combine Merck’s cutting-edge biomanufacturing systems with GNG’s proprietary Clone Development and HIND™ Antibody Library platforms. Together, we aim to establish a comprehensive, scalable solution that integrates clone development, antibody discovery, and production, enhancing capabilities across the biopharma industry.
The GNG-Merck collaboration creates a unique competitive edge by combining local expertise with global biomanufacturing capabilities. Merck’s USP expertise ensures efficient, high-quality cell culture processes that maximise biologics production yield, while it’s Downstream Processing (DSP) solutions refine and purify the end products to meet stringent global standards. This partnership is a revolutionary step for India’s biotech sector and will help establish India as a global hub for biopharmaceutical innovation.
While this collaboration is not the first of its kind, it raises the bar by giving biotech companies access to a single, comprehensive development procedure. This includes everything from initial research and clone development to large-scale clinical production, accelerating the timeline for bringing innovative therapies to market. Through this collaboration, Merck is installing its advanced bioprocessing systems at GNG to create standardised upstream and downstream processes. This allows GNG to efficiently develop and produce novel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other therapeutic molecules, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products that meet global standards.
GNG’s Clone Development platform is a core component of this collaboration, offering stable, high-yielding cell lines crucial for biologics development. The integration of Merck’s systems will enhance this platform, making GNG a leading provider of scalable clone development services that can support a wide array of biotech firms in India and beyond.
By setting up Merck’s advanced systems at GNG, this collaboration offers biotech startups a complete infrastructure to transition seamlessly from early-stage development to clinical production. With Merck’s extensive expertise in drug development and manufacturing, accumulated over decades, GNG is well-positioned to advance its capabilities in scaling up production and preparing for commercial manufacturing. This strategic collaboration enables GNG to explore and pursue the commercialization of its proprietary New Biological Entities (NBE) and biosimilar candidates, ensuring a robust pathway from development to market readiness.
Your views on the growth of the Indian biotech industry, govt policies and the evolution of startup space?
India’s biotech ecosystem has experienced remarkable growth in recent years and is rapidly advancing, with startup companies driving investment in the sector. With India’s bioeconomy valued at $137 billion in 2022 and an ambitious target of $300 billion by 2030, the startup community plays a crucial role in shaping the country’s future economy. The Indian government has also introduced various policies and initiatives to enhance the biotech industry and support research and development (R&D).
Biotechnology has significantly impacted various sectors, with India’s biotech startups experiencing impressive growth in recent years, driven by advanced research, government support, and the swift adoption of digital technologies. Forecasted to reach $150 Bn by 2025, and $300 Bn by 2030, India’s biotech industry is moving towards thriving growth. Additionally, the recent approval of the BioE3 Policy— ‘Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment’— marks a pivotal moment for India’s biotech sector, promoting innovation-driven research and development.
India aspires to become a reliable global pharmacy and a forward-thinking leader in biotechnology and life sciences. Despite the bioeconomy experiencing a ten-fold growth since 2014, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive innovation ecosystem that balances intellectual property, data protection, and clinical trials. Additionally, fostering continuous innovation and building a robust network for pandemic preparedness at both global and local levels is crucial for future advancements.
Plans for the next 5 to 10 years and how do you see the company evolving in the long term?
Over the next decade, GeNext Genomics plans to deepen its impact in biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and therapeutic antibody discovery. GNG aims to expand the HIND Antibody Library’s scope to encompass a broader range of therapeutic targets, positioning it as a vital tool for novel drug discovery and collaborative research. Leveraging the Merck collaboration and future partnerships, GNG intends to expand its biosimilar offerings to meet the demand for affordable, high-quality biologics in domestic and global markets. With an increasing emphasis on precision medicine, GNG plans to develop new diagnostic and antibody solutions for emerging diseases and personalized treatments.
GNG envisions itself as a global leader in contract research and biomanufacturing, continually innovating and establishing itself as a vital partner in the evolving biotechnology landscape.
**This interview was first published in the December 2024 edition of BioVoice eMagazine.
