PPL Therapeutics, the UK firm responsible for cloning Dolly the sheep and the five piglets born last month, is seeking a new partner to develop its first genetically engineered medicine. Ron James, head of PPL, said talks were underway with three 'global players' and five smaller, more specialised drug companies.
PPL's new partner will pay for the development and marketing of AAT - alpha-1-antitrypsin - a human protein produced in the milk of genetically altered PPL sheep. It could be used to treat cystic fibrosis, as well as a hereditary form of emphysema. The total market for AAT could be worth £670m, PPL says.
The company also hopes to sell a minority stake in its xenotransplantation division, which is developing genetically altered pigs to provide organs for human use. Dr James predicted that pig hearts, kidneys and lungs might be available for human transplantation in seven years. PPL plan to charge about £12,500 ($20,000) for each organ - about the same as the cost of a human to human transplant operation.
PPL reported annual pre-tax losses of over £14m last week, and revealed research and development costs of £13.5m for last year.
Sources and References
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Dolly's creators seek big league ally
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Dolly firm records ?ú14m loss
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PPL forming partnership
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PPL piggies on organ market in 'seven years'
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