Antithrombin from transgenic goat milk will soon be on sale in the USA
American experts have recognized the effectiveness and safety of the preparation of the human protein antithrombin, obtained from the milk of genetically engineered goats. The deficiency of this protein, which is necessary to prevent the formation of life-threatening blood clots (blood clots), is observed in one person out of three to five thousand, and the plasma of donor blood from which it is obtained now is expensive and does not cover all needs.
GTC Biotherapeutics Inc., which receives a purified protein preparation from the milk of genetically engineered animals, has filed an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for registration of the drug. The expert commission concluded that the drug, called ATryn, is effective and safe, so it is quite possible that it will be the first drug obtained from a genetically engineered mammal that is approved for use in the country (in Europe it was approved for use in August 2006). The final decision of the FDA on this issue will be made in early February.
If approval is received, the manufacturing company plans to establish the production of drugs for the treatment of hemophilia, angioedema, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and other diseases associated with the insufficiency of any protein. For most of these diseases, the world's need for the appropriate protein can be met by one herd of 50 cows or 100 goats.
Currently, most genetically engineered drugs are obtained with the help of microorganisms, which requires expensive bioreactors. The production of such drugs from animal milk is much less expensive.
Copper news based on the materials of the Los Angeles Times: New old-fashioned drug makers: goatsPortal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru