BOSTON, September 13, 2022 — Zea Biosciences, a Boston-based biopharmaceutical company with a new platform for biologics and vaccine development, has signed a master research collaboration agreement (MRCA) with Loma Linda University Health (LLUH). The strategic partnership will rapidly scale and develop new therapies and vaccines for a variety of important health issues here and around the world. Zea recently gifted some equipment to LLUH to help their research and to share process development data.
“We are very excited about this collaboration with Loma Linda University Health, as it is a beneficial relationship for both of our organizations,” said Jim Wilson, founder of Zea Biosciences. “The results from this could allow us to fundamentally change manufacturing and the way a product is managed; the hope is we can make a cheaper drug and offer that benefit for everyone, providing wellness across the world.
Dr. William Langridge, principal researcher for plant molecular genetics at Loma Linda University Health, has been developing vaccines for years without the ability to rapidly scale the products. Zea’s Lighthouse platform provides the opportunity to scale-up and develop the necessary quantities for clinical trials and eventually commercialization.
Charles Legg, CEO of Zea Biosciences, stated, “This is a great opportunity to truly collaborate and share important data as Dr. Langridge and his team continue to do their great research and we look to help enable that work to get to the next stage and into clinical trials. We hope this is a model that will show the way to many other significant collaborations for Zea and a community dedicated to developing therapies that can be shared with the world.”
"Working in conjunction with the researchers at LomaLinda University Health, we have an opportunity to make a real impact." Jim Wilson, Founder of Zea Biosciences.
# # #
About Zea Biosciences: Boston-based Zea exists to grow access to reliable medicines to inspire healthier communities. As a plant biotechnology platform focused on identifying, producing, and growing high-potency drugs, we are on a mission to unlock as many therapies for as many people as possible. Zea’s motto: Unlock the possible. The Zea Lighthouse earned top honors as a finalist in Fast Company's 2022 World Changing Ideas. Zea is part of an influential short list of US companies that are working to make the world a better place.
About Loma Linda University Health (LLUH): Loma Linda University Health includes Loma Linda University's eight professional schools, Loma Linda University Medical Center's six hospitalincluding The Dennis and Carol Troesh Medical Campus, which opened in August 2021, housing the new adult hospital and Children’s Hospital expansion — and more than 1,000 faculty physicians located in the Inland Empire of Southern California. Established in 1905, Loma Linda University Health is a global leader in education, research and clinical care. It offers over 100 academic programs and provides quality health care to over 40,000 inpatients and 1.5 million outpatients each year. A Seventh-day Adventist organization, Loma Linda University Health is a faith-based health system with a mission "to continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ."
