Gene Delivery System Results in High Success Rate in Avian Transgenics Program
PLANTATION, Fla., June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viragen, Inc.
(Amex: VRA) today announced that a scientific article reporting on its Avian
Transgenic Biomanufacturing Program is available as an advance online
publication of EMBO reports (European Molecular Biology Association, McGrew et
al, VOL 5, NO 7). The article, titled "Efficient production of germline
transgenic chickens using lentiviral vectors," reports data that demonstrates
that lentiviral vectors can be used to generate transgenic lines with an
efficiency in the order of 10 to 100-fold higher than any previously published
method.
In collaboration with Roslin Institute and Oxford Biomedica PLC, Viragen
aims to develop this technology for the efficient, large-scale and cost-
effective manufacturing of pharmaceutical protein-based drugs in the eggs laid
by flocks of transgenic chickens.
Project Leader, Roslin Institute's Dr. Helen Sang, commented, "Our results
to date are very encouraging. The efficiency is such that transgenic lines of
chickens can be established with ease, and studies measuring expression of the
transgene suggest that predictable levels of expression will be obtained. In
order to achieve our goal of producing therapeutic proteins in hens' eggs, we
must accomplish tissue specific expression of the transgene in the oviduct --
a goal we are diligently working toward."
The abstract of the article is available at:
http://www.nature.com/cgi-
taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/embor/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/7400171.html
New! -- For Avian Transgenic Technology Profile, please visit:
http://www.Viragen.com/aviantechprofile.pdf
About Avian Transgenic Technology:
Viragen holds the worldwide exclusive license to commercialize Avian
Transgenic Technology as granted by Roslin Institute (Scotland). The project
is designed to develop the common chicken into a pharmaceutical bioreactor,
one that can meet the growing need for protein-based human therapeutics.
Based on the creation of lines of transgenic hens which have been engineered
to produce the target protein in their eggs, this technology is being
developed as a cost-effective and efficient alternative to standard
biomanufacturing techniques, having many apparent advantages in ease of scale-
up, lower costs of production and quality of product produced. The proportion
of protein drugs, including monoclonal antibodies, under development is
forecast to be expanding rapidly, and manufacturing constraints, including
lack of adequate facilities, have been recognized.
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 W. Calder, Director of CommunicationsPhone: (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," "will," "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.
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Related links:
http://www.viragen.com
http://www.Viragen.com/aviantechprofile.pdf
http://www.nature.com/cgi-
taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/embor/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/7400171.html
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 W. Calder, Director of
Communications, Viragen, +1-954-233-8746, fax, +1-954-233-1414,
or e-mail, dcalder@viragen.com
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