Diversified Repertoire of Human Antibodies from Transgenic Chickens

Sponsor: Origen Therapeutics

• Project Performance Period: -
• Total project (est.): $3,135,963.00
• Requested ATP funds: $2,000,000.00

The availability of fully human polyclonal antibodies—mixtures of antibodies that mimic the natural immune response to invaders in the body—would provide highly effective therapies for many infectious diseases, notably those that have acquired antibiotic resistance. They would also provide a novel strategy for cancer treatment, by responding to antigens, molecules found on cancer cells. Production of safe and effective polyclonal antibody treatments has been hampered by the lack of an appropriate production system for the antibodies. For example, it is difficult for many mammalian hosts to raise antibodies against antigens that appear in cancer. Origen Therapeutics is focusing upon chickens as a source of human polyclonal antibodies. Because of their genetic differences from humans, chickens could create antibodies against highly conserved antigens in cases where mammalian hosts would fail to do so. Second, large amounts of polyclonal antibodies would be deposited in a hen's eggs, a convenient collection site. Third, the chicken immune system is capable of producing antibodies to any foreign antigen. Origen has proposed a technology for inserting complex genetic modifications into the chicken genome. The birds would then produce human antibodies that could be used therapeutically for passive immunization, the process of fighting disease with ready-made antibodies. Origen's first objective will be to treat antibiotic-resistant infections of Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") in intensive care units. The industry revenue for monoclonal antibodies (those produced by just one type of immune cell) is currently $20 billion, and making polyclonal antibodies through this new technique may introduce significant new opportunities in the marketplace.

For project information:

Robert M. Kay, Ph.D., (650) 558-7726
rkay@origentherapeutics.com

ATP Project Manager

Douglas Jones, (301) 975-2004
doug.jones@nist.gov