Historical Milestones

The following milestones were achieved by employees of Polymun and IAM under the guidance of Prof. Hermann Katinger.

2011

Start of operations at the new company site of Polymun in Klosterneuburg

2010

Beginning of construction of a new company site for Polymun

2004

First clinical study under IND of the FDA with the triple combination of HIV antibodies.

2001

Polymun licensed as manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals according the Austrian Pharmaceutical Law §63.

2000

Adaptation of the fermentation facility to full GMP compliance.

First successful selection of high producing cell clones by FACS-sorting.

Patent applied for the liposome production technology.

1999

Routine use of protein and animal-component-free systems for cryopreservation and propagation of animal cells including hybridoma, Vero and CHO cells.

1994

Use of ultrasonic retention device for perfusion (Gaida, Doblhoff-Dier, Strutzenberger, Katinger, Burger, Handl, Gröschl & Benes 1996, Biotechnology Progress 73).

1991

Cytopilot, fluidized bed reactor (Reiter, Blüml, Gaida, Zach, Unterluggauer, Doblhoff-Dier, Noe, Plail, Huss & Katinger 1991, Bio/Technology 9:1100).

1990

Human monoclonal antibody expression in CHO cells (Rüker, Ebert, Kohl, Steindl, Riegler & Katinger 1991, Ann NY Acad Sci 646:212).

1986

Membroferm, three compartment membrane reactor (Klement, Scheirer & Katinger 1987, Dev Biol Stand 66:22).

1985

Spinferm (Varecka & Scheirer 1987, Dev Biol Stand 66:269): Spin filter reactor for continuous perfusion at 1500 liter size operational.

1981

Primary cell culture and immortalization of human kidney cells by various proprietary techniques.

1980

Low serum medium for adherent cells such as MRC-5 and Vero in routine applications (Krömer, Scheirer & Katinger 1982, Dev Biol Stand 50:355).

1979

First closed and fully computerized large scale cell fermentation facility started operation in Vienna (fermenter volumes up to 500 liters convertible for batch, continuous and perfusion methods).

Cell culture in plastic bags established, use of in-house manufactured teflon bags.

1977

First monoclonal antibody generated by Prof. Katinger against hepatitis B.

1975

First 80 liter scale propagation of Namalwa lymphoid cells with airlift reactors in low protein content media at cell density up to 10⁷ cells/ml (Katinger & Scheirer 1979, Dev Biol Stand 42:111).