| Aug 26, 2008 |
New method could reduce cost of making expensive cancer and arthritis drugs
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(Nanowerk News) Costly drugs for illnesses such as cancer and arthritis could be made more cheaply with a method developed by scientists.
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Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have pioneered a simple way to remove dead cells from cell cultures used to make protein-based drugs.
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Such drugs are increasingly prescribed to treat a range of illnesses but are expensive.
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The high costs result from the time-consuming and labour-intensive nature of developing them in cell culture.
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Increasing productivity
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Scientists have streamlined this process using magnetic beads coated with special antibodies.
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The antibodies bind to dead cells without harming the remaining healthy cells.
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A magnet is then used to draw the dead cells out, leaving the living cells to produce beneficial proteins more effectively.
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Researchers have found that removing dead cells can increase productivity of cell cultures by more than 100 per cent.
The technique replaces lengthy and potentially damaging methods of cell removal, such as spinning cultures around at high speeds, which can traumatise healthy cells.
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The technology could also have implications for vaccine development and stem cell research.
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Marketing the technology
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A spin-out company, Immunosolv, has been formed to market the technology following support through Scottish Enterprise's Proof of Concept Programme and a SMART award.
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