Biotech Updates

Bayer, KBP Team up to Develop Tobacco-derived Drugs

October 3, 2008

Bayer Innovation GmBH announced that it has entered into a collaboration with Kentucky Bioprocessing (KBP), a biotechnology company focusing on commercial scale production of proteins from plants, to advance the manufacture of drugs and “high-value” products from tobacco plants. Under terms of the agreement, KBP will adapt its existing facility by installing an automated system for high throughput transfection of tobacco host plants. The collaboration makes KBP the preferred production partner for the application of magnICON, a non-GM process for rapid and high-yield production of biopharmaceuticals in plants.

Detlef Wollweber, General Manager of Bayer Innovation, said that KBP was the ideal partner for the project due to its excellent facilities and highly-qualified workforce. The company is currently developing plant-derived vaccines for influenza and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bayer is also teaming up with the National University of Singapore on three joint projects in the field of oncology.

Read the press release at http://www.bayer-innovation.com/en/News-2008-09-29-Manufacturing-basis-for-biopharmaceuticals-broadend.aspx#pagetop