Bayer AG - Annual Report 2006 - Producing antibodies in plants

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Producing antibodies in plants

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Icon Genetics researches plants that can be used to manufacture pharmaceuticals. Here, Dr. Sylvestre Marillonnet immerses tobacco plants in a bacterial solution.

Halle/Gent – In September 2006, Icon Genetics GmbH, a subsidiary of Bayer Innovation GmbH, and Bayer BioScience NV, a subsidiary of Bayer CropScience, published the results of research into new-generation expression technologies for plants. These technologies serve to synthesize proteins from genetic information. The scientists developed a process for high-yield production of monoclonal antibodies. The process is suitable for research purposes, industrial scale-up and the production of antibodies for medical uses – for example, in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Icon Genetics is engaged in developing processes for the biotechnological production of therapeutic proteins and other high-value products in plants.