Another good use for yeast – Alder Biopharmaceuticals Inc. today announced an $11.1 million first round of venture capital

Alder Biopharmaceuticals Inc. today announced an $11.1 million first round of venture capital from Sevin Rosen Funds, Ventures West and WRF Capital, according to this press release.

The Bothell company is looking at ways to use yeast — rather than mammalian cells — to speed up the production of antibodies that are used in developing new drugs. If successful, WRF Capital’s Thong Le said the technology could significantly reduce the time and cost of drug development.

Yeast cells cost $20 to $50 per gram and produce cell lines in less than two months, he said. That compares to mammalian cells, which cost up to $1000 per gram and take as long as one year to produce cell lines.

"Do the math," said Le. "That is 15 to 50 times less. The process of manufacturing in yeast is much more efficient."

Full Story: http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/venture/archives/005503.html