Sigma-Aldrich to distribute animal-free aprotinin
plant-produced recombinant aprotinin manufactured by US-based Large
Scale Biology Corporation, under a new agreement announced this
week.
Aprotinin is a protease inhibitor marketed for medical uses but also as a reagent in research and biomanufacturing applications to minimise degradation of proteins. It is typically derived from bovine lungs but Large Scale produces Apronexin NP using its proprietary Geneware expression technology in tobacco plants.
Sigma Aldrich will distribute the product to its customers in research and development, cell culture and manufacturing markets, enhancing its portfolio of 'animal-free' products.
The recombinant form will meet demand from companies concerned about the use of animal-derived products in human-use medicines, a result of the mad cow disease issue, which has recently resurfaced with a new case of the disease in the US.
Daniel Tuse, LSBC's vice president of business development, told In-PharmaTechnologist.com earlier this year that the product could also help reduce supply shortages, experienced at different periods during the year.
The aprotinin will be grown and processed at Large Scale's biomanufacturing facility in Owensboro, Kentucky, under the multi-year supply agreement.
Additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.
