Viragen reports breakthrough in producing human protein from transgenic hens

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., Jan. 18 - Viragen, Inc. announced that its scientists and collaborators at the Roslin Institute and Oxford BioMedica plc, have successfully achieved expression of significant quantities of the human protein, interferon beta-1a, in the whites of eggs laid by transgenic hens using the OVA System (Avian Transgenic Biomanufacturing).

Interferon-beta is a key component of the human immune system and is the active ingredient in

several leading multiple sclerosis (MS) therapies, according to a company news release.

These results are the first in a series of anticipated milestones demonstrating proof-of-principle with an avian-expressed version of interferon-beta, said the company. It is expected that the OVA System will be capable of cost-effectively expressing many types of therapeutic proteins.

"We are continuing to report historic scientific breakthroughs, as we achieve the essential prerequisites to develop a viable, cost-effective, transgenic bio-manufacturing system," Viragen president and chief executive officer Charles A. Rice stated in the release.

"To imagine the potential, based on the highest expression levels we have found, it is conceivable that a small flock of a couple of hundred hens could satisfy the entire U.S. market demand for interferon beta-1a."

Interferon beta-1a is currently marketed under two competing brand names, Avonex and Rebif, for the treatment of MS.

Viragen holds the worldwide exclusive license to commercialize the OVA System. The project is designed to develop the chicken into a pharmaceutical bioreactor, one that can meet the growing need for protein-based human therapeutics, said the company.

Viragen, based in Plantation, Fla., specializes in the development of pharmaceutical proteins for the treatment of viral diseases and cancers.

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