Cuba hails 'plantibody' breakthrough for hepatitis B vaccine

[Guest guest]

Cuba hails 'plantibody' breakthrough for hepatitis vaccine

HAVANA (AFP) - In what scientists billed as a breakthrough, Cuba has

developed the first monoclonal antibody from transgenic plants -- dubbed a

" plantibody " -- used in making a human vaccine.

The antibody, CB-Hep.1, is from an " ancestor " of the tobacco plant.

It replaces an antibody obtained from mice in Cuba's manufacturing of the

hepatitis B vaccine, researchers told reporters in Havana Friday.

Borroto, deputy director at Cuba's Biotechnology and Genetic

Engineering Center (CIGB) here, said the plantibody had won approval from

Cuba's medication quality control agency, part of the public health

ministry.

CB-Hep.1 is the first plantibody authorized anywhere in the world for

manufacturing a vaccine. It is just the second approved for human use, after

one approved in the United States for treating tooth decay.

The plantibody won approval back on April 11 and is already being used in

manufacturing the vaccine, though Cuba only made the announcement Friday.

Borroto said since the breakthrough was achieved, " 145 million doses have

been exploited and not a single problem in their use has been reported. "

Antibodies used to date in making therapeutic vaccines for humans have been

obtained from fermentation of mammalian cells, a time-consuming, costly

method that generates very small quantities.

Using plantibodies in contrast is hailed as a breakthrough in dramatically

reducing costs but most importantly in boosting the yield of antibodies,

which makes it easier for vaccines to be produced.

Barroto said that Cuba has several plantibody projects in advanced stages,

including one to be used as a cancer treatment, from the same plant.

" Approval of the first CIGB plantibody clears the way for many potential

uses of this alternative in manufacturing molecules important in the fight

against devastating diseases, " Barroto said.

He said the " ancestral " tobacco plant in question was a noncommercial

variety, with thicker leaves, grown in an inert environment, without soil,

which helps ensure biosecurity.

" A number of major international companies are looking for a partnership

with us, " Barroto addes, without naming the companies. " We are pleased with

how those contacts are proceeding. "

06/24/2006 05:48

http://channels.netscape.com/tech/story.jsp?floc=FF-AFP-shscience & idq=/ff/story/\

7000%2F20060624%2F0555000001.htm & sc=shscience

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[Guest guest]

Cuba hails 'plantibody' breakthrough for hepatitis vaccine

HAVANA (AFP) - In what scientists billed as a breakthrough, Cuba has

developed the first monoclonal antibody from transgenic plants -- dubbed a

" plantibody " -- used in making a human vaccine.

The antibody, CB-Hep.1, is from an " ancestor " of the tobacco plant.

It replaces an antibody obtained from mice in Cuba's manufacturing of the

hepatitis B vaccine, researchers told reporters in Havana Friday.

Borroto, deputy director at Cuba's Biotechnology and Genetic

Engineering Center (CIGB) here, said the plantibody had won approval from

Cuba's medication quality control agency, part of the public health

ministry.

CB-Hep.1 is the first plantibody authorized anywhere in the world for

manufacturing a vaccine. It is just the second approved for human use, after

one approved in the United States for treating tooth decay.

The plantibody won approval back on April 11 and is already being used in

manufacturing the vaccine, though Cuba only made the announcement Friday.

Borroto said since the breakthrough was achieved, " 145 million doses have

been exploited and not a single problem in their use has been reported. "

Antibodies used to date in making therapeutic vaccines for humans have been

obtained from fermentation of mammalian cells, a time-consuming, costly

method that generates very small quantities.

Using plantibodies in contrast is hailed as a breakthrough in dramatically

reducing costs but most importantly in boosting the yield of antibodies,

which makes it easier for vaccines to be produced.

Barroto said that Cuba has several plantibody projects in advanced stages,

including one to be used as a cancer treatment, from the same plant.

" Approval of the first CIGB plantibody clears the way for many potential

uses of this alternative in manufacturing molecules important in the fight

against devastating diseases, " Barroto said.

He said the " ancestral " tobacco plant in question was a noncommercial

variety, with thicker leaves, grown in an inert environment, without soil,

which helps ensure biosecurity.

" A number of major international companies are looking for a partnership

with us, " Barroto addes, without naming the companies. " We are pleased with

how those contacts are proceeding. "

06/24/2006 05:48

http://channels.netscape.com/tech/story.jsp?floc=FF-AFP-shscience & idq=/ff/story/\

7000%2F20060624%2F0555000001.htm & sc=shscience

_________________________________________________________________

Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!

http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/