Human growth factors produced in barley grain, using renewable,
geothermal energy
REYKJAVIK, Iceland, May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ORF Genetics
(http://www.orfgenetics.com), an Icelandic biotechnology company, announced
today the opening of new and revolutionary 22,000 ft^2 (2043m^2)
cultivation facilities in Grindavik, Iceland. Utilizing its unique
Orfeus(TM) protein production system in barley, ORF Genetics produces and
markets biorisk-free ISOkine(TM) human growth factors for use in medical
research, drug discovery and cosmetics.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080513/DC22192 )
The state-of-the-art Green Factory uses geothermal energy for safe,
indoor cultivation of genetically engineered barley. It is set in the
middle of a lava field, close to Icelandīs best-known tourist attraction,
the Blue Lagoon. The barley is cultivated in a soil-less hydroponic system
on specially designed conveyor belts, allowing for the production of up to
90 different proteins at a time. The Orfeus(TM) system and new facilities
allow ORF the flexibility to easily scale their production according to the
unique requirements of different customers and markets. Currently ORF has
more than 100 different growth factors in its pipeline and 10 ISOkine(TM)
growth factors already on the market.
Bjorn L. Orvar, CEO of ORF Genetics, said at the opening of the
greenhouse: "Our research and development efforts in recent years are now
bearing fruit, and we see great opportunities for rapid growth,
specifically in the field of drug discovery and cosmetics."
Minister of Industry Ossur Skarphedinsson said as he harvested the
first barley in the Green Factory: "ORF's ideas have sprouted from the
dynamic Icelandic public research environment, and the company's leaders,
with unflagging entrepreneurial optimism, have overcome all difficulties,
making ORF a unique high-tech company in the world. The new 'Green Factory'
leverages the company's deserved green image, as production is based on
green and renewable energy from Iceland's volcanic depths."
ORF will be exhibiting their products in the US at the upcoming
Supplier's Day Show hosted by the New York Society for Cosmetic Chemists in
May.
ORF Genetics
Headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland, ORF Genetics Ltd. is a privately
owned biotech company that is committed to economically viable green
technology for the production of growth factors and other hard-to-produce
recombinant proteins. Utilizing its unique Orfeus(TM) plant-based
expression system, the company is currently producing biorisk-free, high
purity ISOkine(TM) products to serve the needs of the medical research,
cell culture media, diagnostics and cosmetic markets. ORF was recently
awarded the prestigious 2008 Icelandic Innovation Award by the Icelandic
Centre for Research and the Icelandic Trade Council.
SOURCE ORF Genetics
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Related links:
http://www.orfgenetics.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080513/DC22192
http://photoarchive.ap.org AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN5
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Bjorn L. Orvar, CEO of ORF Genetics,
+354-821-1573, borvar@orf.is
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