About Us
Exceptional efficiency and uncompromising quality to Advance your Protein Production
Experienced U.S.-Based Team Specializing in GMP Protein Production
Only The Best
With decades of collective experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, our team was formed to meet a growing and urgent need: access to reliable, high-quality protein production for both drug development and academic research. We faced the same challenges ourselves — struggling to find qualified CDMO partners and compliant GMP facilities that deliver both precision and speed.
That’s why we built Advanced Protein Production: a 100% U.S.-based CDMO dedicated to providing GMP-certified protein production services for clients with mission-critical projects. Our handpicked team combines technical expertise with regulatory insight to ensure every program meets the highest quality standards — from preclinical through clinical trial support.
Meet the Team
-
Jung-Hee Woo, Ph.D.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING
Dr. Woo has 28 years of experience in molecular biology research and targeted drug development. This experience includes the operation of a Contract Manufacturing Facility for production of biological drugs. As a Principal Investigator, he was successfully funded by 18 grants/contracts that resulted in the translation of scientific discoveries into 11 investigational new drug (IND) applications. Six INDs were approved for testing drug candidates in Phase I clinical trials. One of these candidates was FDA-approved as a prescription medicine. Dr. Woo has been instrumental in assisting Advanced Targeting Systems to set up a new GMP production company, Advanced Protein Productions.
-
Denise Higgins
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Denise has worked on the administrative side of scientific entities for over 40 years. Her career began in the laboratories of Dr. Roger Guillemin, M.D., Ph.D., Nobel Prize winner. She moved on to become the Project Manager at The Whittier Institute for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Growth Biology, where she gained valuable experience in the grant application and management processes. From 1992-1998, Denise was Administration Manager for the Invitrogen Corporation, where she participated in the path from private company to an IPO. In her role as President and Founder of Advanced Targeting Systems, Denise envisioned the necessity of having a company that could produce GMP-grade commercial drugs. Advanced Protein Production was launched to meet that important need to produce well- characterized proteins into the pharmaceutical arena.
-
Soo H. Kang
QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER
Soo has expertise in Drug Manufacturing R&D fields including Early-Stage Drug Development (gene construction, protein expression, in vitro studies), Process Development & GMP manufacturing (fermentation, purification), Quality Control (release tests, stability tests, functional assays), Animal Studies (rat PK study, mouse xenograft efficacy study), and Clinical Pharmacology (development and performance of pharmacokinetic assays for Phase I & II clinical trials).
-
Douglas A. Lappi, Ph.D.
SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR
Dr. Lappi is a global expert on the use of the ribosome-inactivating protein, Saporin. As a founder in 1994 of the targeted toxin company, Advanced Targeting Systems, he brings decades of experience in chemical conjugations and cell-specific targeting techniques. Dr. Lappi holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, San Diego, and a Ph.D. in applied biochemistry from the University of Bologna, Italy. His first ADC, 192-IgG-SAP, was the cornerstone for founding Advanced Targeting Systems and is the basis for a reliable validated model of Alzheimer’s Disease.
-
Leonardo Ancheta
DIRECTOR OF PROTEIN CONJUGATIONS
Leonardo has 20 years of experience in the development and manufacturing of research reagents focusing on antibody/peptide conjugates, with expertise in the ribosome-inactivating protein saporin as the payload. Leonardo’s expertise in customizing conjugations utilizes size, structure, and chemistry to produce efficient and stable protein conjugates. His experience in designing and executing cell-based assays produces the data needed to provide a solid Certificate of Analysis for each service.
Why Choose APP as Your U.S.-Based
CDMO for GMP Protein Production
-
Experience
We are a U.S.-based GMP-certified facility with over 30 years of hands-on experience in protein production, protein conjugation, and the development of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs).
-
Flexibility
As a full-service CDMO, our expert team supports projects at any stage — including preclinical development, process development, and GMP manufacturing.
-
Convenience
We offer flexible scheduling and responsive timelines to support your next protein production project with speed and efficiency.
-
Proven Results
With direct experience leading 18 contract programs, 11 IND submissions, 6 Phase 1 clinical trials, and 1 approved medicine, we have the expertise to take your project from early development through clinical success with excellence.
Our U.S.-Based GMP Facility for Therapeutic Protein Manufacturing
All therapeutic manufacturing and stem cell banking are conducted in ISO 7 and ISO 8 cleanrooms, which are designed, certified, and continuously monitored in full alignment with FDA GMP guidelines and regulations. Every procedure we perform adheres strictly to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), ensuring safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
All of our products are made in the USA, reinforcing our identity as a 100% U.S.-based GMP facility for biologic and therapeutic protein production.