PPL Therapeutics, the Edinburgh-based biotechnology company that developed Dolly the sheep, reported that losses grew to £14.2m in 1998 from £10.2m in the previous year. These continued losses come as PPL continues to inject money into research and drug development. The company's biggest hope is the production of the protein AAT (alpha-1-antitrypsin) transgenic farm animals, aimed at the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Ron James, PPL's managing director said that the second phase trials of the drug were positive. AAT is expected to be launched in 2001 and PPL hopes to strike a marketing deal with a pharmaceutical company in the coming months. PPL is also struggling to expand its facilities in New Zealand, where the Environmental Risk Management Authority has given PPL the green light to keep up to 4000 transgenic sheep. However, various Maori tribes are opposed to the plans. Beleaguered Ron James said: 'Apparently it's against the culture of the Maoris to move genes around. Why that should be I don't know. I find it difficult to understand such a long-standing culture even contemplating moving genes around. But it's not for me to comment on other cultures.'
Sources and References
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Dolly doldrums - cloning firm loses millions
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Gene sheep bid gets New Zealand slam
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More than pie in the sky at PPL
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