GTC Biotherapeutics Inc and Trans Ova Genetics Inc announced signing a licensing agreement that enables Trans Ova to develop the production of veterinary antibodies, initially for three diseases in cattle. GTC is granting Trans Ova an exclusive license to develop and maintain a production herd for these antibodies, along with the associated downstream processing rights. Trans Ova will contract with GTC to develop the cattle that produce these antibodies in their milk.
"This agreement expands our relationship with Trans Ova and provides and opportunity for GTC to participate in the growing veterinary market," stated Paul K. Horan, GTC's Senior Vice President of Corporate Development. Dr. Horan continued, "GTC's skill at developing the appropriate molecular biology combined with Trans Ova's expertise in managing cattle allow both companies to work towards a valuable production solution for underserved diseases in cattle."
"We look forward to working with GTC to further develop veterinary therapeutic uses of cattle technology," stated Dr. Jan Schuiteman, CEO of Pro Edge LP, Trans Ova's parent company, and Dr. David Faber, President of Trans Ova. Dr. Schuiteman and Dr. Faber continued, "The ability of this technology to economically support large volume production of therapeutic antibodies is a powerful advantage to developing the veterinary market. In addition, this license from GTC provides Trans Ova with the opportunity to forge strategic alliances beyond cattle services into the veterinary products business."
GTC will develop cattle with the appropriate DNA to express the veterinary antibodies in their milk. Once the cattle mature, Trans Ova may expand the herd through breeding and establish the downstream purification processing for the antibodies.
GTC and Trans Ova are also working together to develop production of recombinant human serum albumin (rhSA) in the milk of cattle. Cattle expressing rhSA have already been established and the downstream purification process has been developed. The rhSA product is being developed for both the human excipient market and the blood expander therapeutic indication.