About us

Expanding Global Health Through Innovative Biologics

Founded in 2023 following the merger of Pelican Technology Holdings (formerly Pfenex) and Primordial Genetics, Primrose Bio specializes in developing high-efficiency production systems for innovative and complex biologics. Our technical foundations lie in advanced protein expression and enzyme engineering, and we deploy these technologies in commercially proven platforms. 

Primrose Bio’s VISION

Our vision is to create innovative solutions and tools for essential biotherapeutics, vaccines, and critical biologics aiming for positive health and environmental impact. We prioritize our employees, sustainability, stakeholder value, and excellence. 

Select Collaborators & Partners

We work with many organizations across a variety of programs. From advanced expression host engineering through the development of custom RNA and DNA polymerases, we overcome development and production challenges to keep client programs on track. As a fully integrated CMC organization, we’re suited to ensure your success.

Our Heritage

We have established more than 100 collaborations, working alongside a diverse range of partners from innovative drug developers to essential contract manufacturers and suppliers of critical reagents in the biopharma industry. 

1999

Initiation of P. fluorescens platform development.

2004

Launch of P. fluorescensbased Pfenex Expression Technology® platform

2011

PeliCRM197® commercialization program launched with Serum Institute of India. 

2013

Primordial Genetics launches operations. 

2015

Function Generator genetic technology platform developed. 

2016

Global shortages of Erwinaze prompted collaboration with Jazz Pharmaceuticals, resulting in the development and 2021 approval of Rylaze®, alongside the development of a long-acting Erwinia asparaginase candidate, JZP341. 

2019

Teriparatide Injection is approved by the US FDA, the first product developed in the Pfenex Expression Technology® to receive FDA approval. Product launched in June 2020 by Alvogen. 

2020

Primordial’s first-generation RNA polymerases developed.

WHO prequalification achieved for Pneumosil®, a 10-valent Pneumococcal vaccine developed by Serum Institute of India using PeliCRM197®.

 Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc. acquires Pfenex Inc. for up to $516 million. 

2021

Arcturus Therapeutics executes commercial license agreement for a Prima RNApol.

Merck receives FDA approval for VAXNEUVANCE® for the prevention of invasive Pneumococcal disease using P. fluorescens produced CRM197. 

Jazz Pharmaceutical receives FDA approval for Rylaze®, which is manufactured using Pfenex Expression Technology.

2023

Primordial RNApols® launched for commercialization and licensing. 

Primrose bio formed through the merger of Primordial Genetics and the Pfenex division of Ligand Pharmaceuticals. 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

At Primrose Bio, we maintain a broad and comprehensive platform and product intellectual property portfolio around the Pfenex Expression Technology® with >25 issued US patents and over 200 additional patents and applications in various stages of prosecution globally that protect the platform and its components. We hold >10 granted patents worldwide related to our Function Generator platform, with additional application filed. We have a growing portfolio of patent applications (20+) covering our Prima RNApols and EOS polymerases and processes. 

100+ partnerships in innovative protein and nucleic acid-based therapeutics.