Plant-produced monoclonal antibody trial successful
Pharma-Planta project tested anti-HIV antibody in genetically modified tobacco plants
The European Commission has welcomed positive human tests of an anti-HIV antibody in genetically modified tobacco plants organised by the European Union (EU)-funded research project Pharma-Planta.
The aim of the clinical trial was to demonstrate that a monoclonal antibody drug manufactured in plants is safe for humans.
The antibody targets and neutralises the HIV virus and could help produce a topical vaginal preparation preventing transmission, said the EC.
‘This exciting news is a step forward in our global fight against AIDS,’ said EU research commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.
The drug was extracted and purified to a quality and specification approved by European pharmaceutical regulatory authorities.
A stage one clinical trial was staged at the UK’s University of Surrey Clinical Research Centre in July and has now been completed. Further clinical testing will be required to assess the new drug's effectiveness.
The EC added that the research would help other drugs to be produced from GM plants.