For Immediate Release - July 21, 2003
(London, Ontario - July 21, 2003) - Plantigen Inc. announced today it has signed a collaborative research agreement with Calgary-based Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. The research agreement is focused on plant-made antigens that prevent auto-immune disease in companion animals. The collaboration will build on Plantigen's intellectual property and expertise in immune modulation using mammalian proteins derived from plants.
"This collaboration between Plantigen Inc. and Dow AgroSciences, exemplifies our commitment to research collaborations, partnerships, and driving towards product innovation," said Butch Mercer, Global Business Leader, Animal Health & Nutrition for Dow AgroSciences. "Plantigen's unique technology and their medical 'hands-on' clinical expertise in the field of auto-immune diseases, coupled with Dow AgroSciences' plant biotechnology expertise, creates the critical mass of technologies required to bring new solutions to address debilitating health conditions for companion animals."
"We see this collaboration as a unique opportunity to demonstrate the promise of this technology in delivering safe, efficacious and cost-effective doses of mammalian proteins, in order to combat serious diseases such as Diabetes, Crohns and other disorders of the immune system," said Dr. Anthony Jevnikar, Chief Scientific Officer for Plantigen Inc. "Together with the strength that
Dow AgroSciences offers in agriculture and plant technology, we will be able to leverage our medical expertise to make this promise a reality."
About Plantigen
Plantigen Inc. is a discovery company focused on the identification and development of plant-derived biopharmaceuticals for the prevention and treatment of human disease. The company is a spin-off of the Lawson Health Research Institute, the research arm of the founding hospital in London, Ontario, Canada. Plantigen is developing products using genetically enhanced plants - ORAmmune™ and PHYTOkines™ to combat immune system disorders. These products are in their pre-clinical stage of development. Please visit www.plantigen.com
About Dow AgroSciences
Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. is a subsidiary of Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Dow AgroSciences is a global leader in providing pest management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth's food supply and contribute to the safety, health and quality of life of the world's growing population. Dow AgroSciences has approximately 6,000 people in more than 50 countries dedicated to its business, and has worldwide sales of more than US $2.7 billion. Dow AgroSciences is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. For more information about Dow AgroSciences, visit www.dowagro.com
Plantigen Contact:
Michele Martin
519-646-6100, ext. 64680
michele.martin@sjhc.london.on.ca
Dow AgroSciences Contact:
Robyn Heine
317-337-4807
rheine@dow.com
Plantigen, Dow AgroSciences Announce Collaboration
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