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Articles That Use the Tag Name:

antibody production


Treating IgA Nephropathy: Quid Novi?

Abstract: IgA nephropathy is a common autoimmune renal disease resulting in kidney failure for patients with significant proteinuria. The therapeutic options are limited including non-specific treatment to reduce proteinuria accomplished by renin-angiotensin blockade. Strategies to control intrarenal inflammation include the administration of fish oil and for severe disease the use of immunosuppressive agents such as cyclophosphamide, glucocorticosteroids, and mycophenolate mofetil. In light of the limited option, there is an unmet need for novel therapeutic intervention in patients with progressive disease. Herein, we review the evidence for existing treatment choices and explore new immunopharmacologic agents being investigated for IgA nephropathy. ... Read more

Cloned cows armed with human immune system, responding to antigens by producing human antibodies

Cloned cows bearing a part of the human immune system were born in November last year, reported by a team of U.S. and Japanese scientists in Nature Biotechnology Online Edition on August 12, 2002 (to be published in the journal’s September print edition).

These are not cloned transgenic cows carrying one human immunoglobulin gene that has a pre-defined antigen specificity. These cloned cows have the entire human genetic and organ system responsible for antibody responses. Therefore, when immunized with an antigen, any antigen for that matter, the cows’ immune system is expected to make necessary immunoglobulin gene rearrangements and respond to the antigen challenge ... Read more

Critical patent for antibody manufacturing awarded to Genentech after long legal dispute

On December 18th, 2001, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) issued a patent regarding the recombinant expression of antibodies, filed by Genentech (S. San Francisco) on June 10th, 1988. The antibody-making process that the patent claims may have sweeping implications for the lucrative antibody drug businesses, and has been the center of a prolonged legal battle between Genentech and Celltech (Slough, UK) over the past decade.

The new patent, expiring in 2018, will protect Genentech’s rights on “methods of producing immunoglobulins, vectors and transformed host cells for use therein”, which cover Genentech’s own breast-cancer antibody drug Herceptin and potentially ... Read more

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