MS Collaboration reports avian transgenic breakthrough: "Oxford Biomedica and Viragen have announced a breakthrough in transgenic research in which scientists have successfully achieved expression of significant quantities of a human protein in hens that is a key component of the human immune system and is the active ingredient in several leading multiple sclerosis (MS) therapies.

Certain biotech drugs require post-translational modifications in order that the drug retains its full efficacy and is well tolerated when used as a human therapeutic and this latest achievement could well have implications in developing a viable, cost-effective, transgenic bio-manufacturing system.

The collaborators managed to express significant quantities of the human protein, interferon beta-1a, in the whites of eggs laid by transgenic hens using the OVAT System (Avian Transgenic Biomanufacturing) that employs Oxford BioMedica's LentiVector technology......."