Bayer targets production of pharmaceuticals on tobacco plants
20 Nov 2006
Icon Genetics is producing pharmaceuticals via its MagniCON Process
Icon Genetics, a subsidiary of Bayer Innovation, is producing pharmaceuticals from tobacco plants using its MagniCON Process. Substantial market opportunities are seen for the process in the future and Bayer believes it is currently the leading technology for plant-made pharmaceuticals, group officials said a a press conference at Bayer HQ in Leverkusen, Germany.
In MagniCON the genes required to produce the drug are incorporated into a plant virus, which is then introduced into the tobacco cells with the help of bacteria.
According to Bayer, this process is not achieved by injection but by immersing the plants upside down in a bacterial solution and exposing them to a vacuum.
Using this method the gene is present in all the tobacco plant's leaves, where it produces the desired protein or active substance, the company said.
At the same time the plants do not incorporate foreign genes into their genotype and after a period this foreign genetic information is lost.
The treated plants continue to grow under normal greenhouse conditions for about 10 days, forming, said the company, considerable quantities of the desired products in their cells. The products are then extracted in a purification process.
In MagniCON the genes required to produce the drug are incorporated into a plant virus, which is then introduced into the tobacco cells with the help of bacteria.
According to Bayer, this process is not achieved by injection but by immersing the plants upside down in a bacterial solution and exposing them to a vacuum.
Using this method the gene is present in all the tobacco plant's leaves, where it produces the desired protein or active substance, the company said.
At the same time the plants do not incorporate foreign genes into their genotype and after a period this foreign genetic information is lost.
The treated plants continue to grow under normal greenhouse conditions for about 10 days, forming, said the company, considerable quantities of the desired products in their cells. The products are then extracted in a purification process.
