Anti-cancer Antibody Expressed in Rooster
PLANTATION, Fla., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viragen, Inc.
(Amex: VRA) today announced an advancement in its program to develop avian
transgenic biomanufacturing for the purpose of using chickens as bioreactors
for the efficient and economical production of human pharmaceutical protein-
based drugs in their eggs.
Viragen, in collaboration with Roslin Institute and Oxford Biomedica PLC,
reported that an antibody designed to treat malignant melanoma (anti-GD3
antibody) has been successfully detected in the blood of a founder transgenic
rooster after the antibody was introduced using a proprietary gene delivery
system. This achievement is the first in a series of steps designed to
confirm that a humanized antibody can be produced in subsequent generations of
chickens and demonstrate a fully intact structure capable of its intended
therapeutic function.
Project Leader, Roslin's Dr. Helen Sang, explained, "We have previously
demonstrated that a reporter gene can be synthesized in the oviduct of laying
hens, the source of egg white proteins. The significance of this new
milestone is that we are now using a humanized anti-cancer antibody, which has
been incorporated into the bird's DNA."
Dr. Sang also discussed the Project's goal to demonstrate tissue-specific
expression in the oviduct: "We have now shown that a protein can be
synthesized in the oviduct of transgenic hens, the source of egg white
proteins. These results indicate that we are well advanced toward our stated
target of tissue-specific expression of a therapeutic protein -- a key
milestone in our development plan."
"These collective results are extremely encouraging and give us good
reason to believe that additional important milestones could be reported in
the coming months," stated Viragen's President and CEO, Mr. Charles A. Rice.
"We are developing similar work utilizing a second therapeutic protein, which
has global sales of approximately $2 billion. As we continue to realize these
significant milestone events, the time is approaching for scheduling meetings
with the appropriate international regulatory agencies, including the FDA, to
determine the steps that will be required to bring this exciting technology to
the market."
In other avian transgenic-related news, it was announced that a scientific
article has been published in Drug Discovery Today (Volume 10, Number 3,
February 2005). The article, titled "Transgenic chickens as bioreactors for
protein-based drugs," reports on significant advances to develop avian
transgenics.
Co-authored by Dr. Helen Sang*, the article concludes that "recent
improvements of transgenic technology for chickens and preliminary results on
protein expression in birds are encouraging."
To subscribe to Drug Discovery Today, please visit:
http://www.drugdiscoverytoday.com
For an Avian Transgenic Technology Profile, please visit:
http://www.Viragen.com/aviantechprofile.pdf
* Authors: Simon G. Lillico, Michael J. McGrew, Adrian Sherman and Helen
M. Sang; Roslin Institute
About Viragen, Inc.:
Viragen is a biotechnology company specializing in the research,
development and commercialization of natural and recombinant protein-based
drugs designed to treat a broad range of viral and malignant diseases. These
protein-based drugs include natural human alpha interferon, monoclonal
antibodies and a peptide drug. Viragen's strategy also includes the
development of Avian Transgenic Technology as a biomanufacturing platform for
the large-scale, cost-effective production of therapeutic proteins.
Viragen is publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange (VRA).
Viragen's majority owned subsidiary, Viragen International, Inc., is publicly
traded on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board (VGNI). Viragen's key partners
and licensors include: Roslin Institute, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center, Cancer Research UK, University of Nottingham (U.K.), University of
Miami, America's Blood Centers and the German Red Cross.
For more information, please visit: http://www.Viragen.com
Viragen, Inc. Corporate Contact:
Douglas Calder, Director of Communications
Phone: (954) 233-8746; Fax: (954) 233-1414
E-mail: dcalder@viragen.com
The foregoing press announcement contains forward-looking statements that
can be identified by such terminology such as "expect," "potential,"
"suggests," "may," "should," "could" or similar expressions. Such forward-
looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
statements. In particular, management's expectations regarding future
research, development and/or commercial results could be affected by, among
other things, uncertainties relating to clinical trials and product
development; availability of future financing; unexpected regulatory delays or
government regulation generally; the Company's ability to obtain or maintain
patent and other proprietary intellectual property protection; and competition
in general. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are
made. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to
reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking
statements are made.
SOURCE Viragen, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.viragen.com
http://www.Viragen.com/aviantechprofile.pdf
http://www.drugdiscoverytoday.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010426/HSTH018LOGO-b
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Douglas Calder, Director of Communications,
Viragen, Inc., +1-954-233-8746, or fax, +1-954-233-1414, or
dcalder@viragen.com
|
