University Dept. / Industry Sector: 

Biology / Pharmaceutical

COAP / Company Number: 

01019 / n/a

Contact: 

Web: 

n/a

Introduction

This technology triples the yield of valuable functional secretory antibodies (IgA, IgM) from a variety of plant species, tissues and cultured plant cells. Given the antibodies are secreted, alternative purification methods are utilised to fully gain the benefit of large scale production at low cost. The technology is a significant commercial improvement over existing technology.

Benefits

We are currently exploiting plants to express valuable antibodies to gain the benefits of a large production scale at low cost. We are fully aware that one of the best ways of producing a plant made antibody is by secretion.

From a commercial perspective, the innovation is a significant commercial improvement over existing technology (Patents US 6,417,429, WO 97/42313). It can potentially triple the yield of functional secretory antibodies (IgA, IgM) from whole plant tissues or cultured plant cells and utilises alternative cost effective purification methods. The invention, which is filed under patent, PCT 03/004983, only requires minimal modification to the expression constructs and can therefore be introduced into any existing plant production protocol. This will have positive benefits in terms of processes, yields and ultimately the profitability of your business.

The innovation has already proven its effectiveness in the production of secretory IgA in transgenic tobacco. From a scientific and commercial perspective, there are many benefits:

• Almost triples the recovery of functional secretory antibodies.
• Applies to a variety of functional secretory antibodies, IgA, IgM.
• Applies to a variety of plant species, tissues and cultured plant cells.
• Has no effects on the antigen binding properties of the antibodies.
• Containment can be ensured in hydroponic and a fermentor production methods, as well as standard greenhouse conditions.
• Simplifies the purification process by eliminating the homogenisation step by recovering the culture medium with the secreted antibody. This removes contamination from major plant cell proteins such as photosynthetic enzymes.