Plant-made antibodies to control dental caries in a large scale

Large Scale Biology Corporation and Planet Biotechnology Inc. Announce Expansion of Biomanufacturing Program

13-Jul-2005 - USA

Large Scale Biology Corporation and privately held Planet Biotechnology Inc. (Planet) of Hayward, California, today announced an expansion of the companies' biomanufacturing program to extract and purify Planet's lead product, CaroRx(TM), a plant-made antibody to control dental caries.

Planet's CaroRx? is the world's first recombinant plant-made antibody (plantibody) shown in clinical studies to prevent the adhesion to the tooth surface of decay causing bacteria. Planet's tobacco plants expressing the proprietary CaroRx? Protected SIgA(TM) will be extracted by LSBC at its Owensboro, Kentucky, manufacturing facility. CaroRx(TM) is currently approved for sale as a medical device in the European Union.

"This new phase of bioprocessing work that we have commissioned at LSBC continues last year's successful production of developmental clinical and analytical lots of CaroRx(TM), our Protected SIgA(TM) plantibody. There is high complementarity between Planet's protein expression and product development expertise and LSBC's extensive biomanufacturing capabilities and experience in the area of plant-produced recombinant proteins," stated Elliott Fineman, President and CEO of Planet Biotechnology. "Larger quantities of our unique product CaroRx(TM) will be produced this year as we continue to implement our plans to market CaroRx(TM) in Europe and expand our clinical program under an active U.S. FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) application in the US. LSBC and Planet have established an excellent working relationship during this important scale-up phase of product development," Mr. Fineman added.

"We are very pleased to continue to assist Planet, one of the leaders in plant-produced recombinant pharmaceuticals, with their further development of CaroRx(TM), said Dr. Daniel Tusé, LSBC's Vice President of Business Development. "Our bioprocessing and manufacturing capabilities in Owensboro, KY, and the depth of experience of our biomanufacturing team are unsurpassed in the plant-made pharmaceuticals industry. We apply these resources to provide clients such as Planet with a wide range of services on an as-needed basis rapidly and cost-effectively. Contract manufacturing and co-development services continue to be important components of our business and we are happy to be working with Planet as a repeat customer," Dr. Tusé added.

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Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous

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Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous