Unlock Scalable, High-Yield Protein Expression with Pfenex Expression Technology®

The Pfenex Expression Technology® (Pfenex) is the most comprehensive prokaryotic expression platform under one roof: powered by Pseudomonas fluorescens.

About P. fluorescens

Advantages of Pfenex

Applying Pfenex

Pfast™ Feasibility Program

Success Stories

About P. fluorescens

Advantages of Pfenex

Applying Pfenex

Pfast™ Feasibility Program

Success Stories

ABOUT Pseudomonas fluorescens

A naturally occurring, Gram-negative obligate aerobe, our P. fluorescens was first isolated from a lettuce leaf around San Diego, California. Initially developed by The Dow Chemical Company with the intent of being a robust, scalable, and cost-focused expression technology from the start, Primrose’s P. fluorescens-based Pfenex platform is unmatched in recombinant protein production:

100% compatible with existing microbial know-how, production systems, and infrastructure.
Used for producing industrial products and human therapeutics since the 1990s.
Large genome (6.3 Mbp) provides a greater metabolic diversity over E. coli (5 Mbp average).
High density culture conditions (30-50 OD) are achieved at 0.5mL scale, and has successfully been scaled >180,000 liters (200-400 OD).
Cultivates with simple, chemically defined and animal origin-free media. No antibiotics are required for plasmid maintenance.

We leverage these benefits of P. fluorescens to optimize protein expression, from initial DNA transcription through final protein folding and secretion.

PFENEX EXPRESSION TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGES

Unmatched Versatility and Performance:
The Pfenex platform combines decades of dedicated development with proven success in the production of complex, challenging proteins. Pfenex succeeds where E. coli and CHO often fall short.

The Pfenex Toolbox

25+ years of engineering toolbox components, including highly efficient secretion leaders, plasmids, promoters, ribosome binding sites, and chaperones.

High throughput

Compatible with automated strain engineering tools for rapid, efficient screening of thousands of gene-vector-strain combinations at once.

High titers, high quality

Historically improves expression titer and quality with an ~80% success rate, notably with complex structures (e.g., disulfide bonds).

Scalable

Up to 180,000L achieved for industrial products; 5,000L for therapeutics.

Cost-effective

Titers exceeding 30g/L have been achieved; periplasmic release offers cleaner downstream processing.

Versatile

Over 200 lead candidates produced from a variety of protein modalities: VHHs, Fabs, and other antibody derivatives; enzymes, cytokines, antigens, and peptides.

How it Works

Secretion Leaders

Library of efficient signal peptides have been codon optimized for P. fluorescens to improve yield, solubility, and folding.

Plasmids

Two stable, compatible plasmids are maintained with auxotrophic markers which eliminate the need for antibiotics. One plasmid encodes the gene of interest and the second may encode folding helper functions.

Ribosome Binding Sites

Optimized through sequence modification, spacing, and affinity to control translation rates.

Chaperone Proteins

Over 60 expression plasmids encoding helper proteins for folding and disulfide bond formation provide efficient transport to the periplasm for proper protein conformation.

Host-strain Protease Mutants

Vast library of strains to reduce proteolytic clipping through deletion or inactivation of native protease sequences.

Working with Primrose Bio

Transform your protein expression challenges into solutions with Pfenex. Our streamlined strain engineering process consistently delivers actionable results for the most challenging of proteins while maintaining rigorous quality standards. It seamelessly integrates with your existing microbial production capabilities.

Initial Consultation

Meet with our strain engineers to discuss your challenges, goals, and explore novel solutions to your needs.

Proposal Development

We develop a workplan that leverages the Pfenex toolbox and analytical methods, focusing on your desired outcomes from the start.

Advanced Strain Engineering

Using our automated platform, we screen up to 1,000 combinations of host strains and expression tools, delivering optimized candidates in just 4-6 weeks.

Primary Process Optimization

We establish ideal fermentation parameters at 2L scale through a systematic design of experiments (DOE) approach, fine-tuning conditions for maximum yield of target protein.

Cell Banking

Your lead strain is banked and extensively tested, providing the foundation for future process development and GMP cell banks.

Licensing

Upon final quality verification, we will license the strain to you under a variety of models pending your needs, intent, and development plans. And yes, royalty-free options are available.

Pfast™ Feasibility with Pfenex

Accelerate Development with the Pfast Protein Feasibility Assessment
The Pfast™ Feasibility Program offers a rapid, cost-effective way to assess your molecule's compatibility with the Pfenex platform. Designed for early-stage evaluation, Pfast enables you to make data-driven decisions before committing to full-scale development.

Rapid Insights:

Results delivered in just 10 days.

Cost-Effective:

Starting at $25,000.

Comprehensive:

Soluble/insoluble titer assessment with future recommendations.

Learn More About Pfast™

Proven Success Across Global Markets

Serum Institute of India: Pneumosil® and Men-Five® use Pfenex-produced CRM197 as their carrier protein and have been administered to over 45 million children, worldwide.

Alvogen: A biosimilar to Eli Lilly’s Forteo®, Teriparatide Injection for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis was the first approved drug produced using the Pfenex platform.

Merck & Co., Inc.: CRM197 produced via the Pfenex platform is used in two FDA and EMA approved pneumococcal vaccines, VAXNEUVANCE® and CAPVAXIVE®.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Rylaze® achieved FDA approval in under six years from initial DNA cloning, demonstrating Pfenex’s speed and efficiency.