Plant-cell-produced technologies-cutting edge approach to bringing solutions to the market

Four months after the world's first vaccine made in plant cells has received regulatory approval in the US, Dow AgroSciences is organising a Science Conference in Brussels on 7 June 2006 in order to share this knowledge with European researchers, scientists, decision-makers and industry representatives.

The pioneering vaccine developed by Dow AgroSciences works against the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in poultry. The latest technology could be applied quite quickly to other diseases - with avian flu a prime target. This approval represents an innovative milestone for the company and the industry.

The Dow AgroSciences Concert Plant-Cell-Produced System represents a new category of plant-made vaccines. This leading edge technology utilises plant cells instead of whole plants in a secure, bio-contained environment to produce vaccines. Because of this bio-contained production system, concerns and challenges associated with making vaccines in whole plants or food crops are eliminated. The Concert Plant-Cell-Produced System uses only the necessary parts of the disease causing agent to stimulate immunity in a manufacturing process that is totally free of animal components:"Being the first company to ever register a plant-made vaccine is another example of Dow AgroSciences' cutting edge approach to bringing highly novel and differentiated solutions to the market," said Jerome Peribere, Dow AgroSciences' president and CEO.

The conference on 7 June, entitled "Innovations in Biosciences for Animal and Human Health" will highlight major bioscience developments and scientific solutions that could prevent diseases and reduce animal and human health risks in Europe. Dow AgroSciences President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Jerome A. Peribere will deliver a welcome address. Dow AgroSciences's R&D capability will be presented by Mr. Antonio Galindez, (Dow AgroSciences VicePresicent, Europe, Latin America, Pacific) and Mr. Dan Kittle (Dow AgroSciences VicePresicent, Research and Development). Dr. Maurice Lex (European Commission, DG Research) will open discussion on Science Policy and R&D collaboration under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) in the area of biosciences for animal and human health.

Two parallel seminars will examine innovative plant-cell technologies and will present the benefit of healthy oils for consumers, agriculture and the food industry. The conference will also explore R&D collaboration under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) in the area of biosciences for animal and human health.

Science Conference "Innovations in Bioscience for Animal and Human Health":
Date: 7 June 2006
Time: 08:30-16:00
Location: Renaissance Hotel, Rue du Parnasse 19, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Admission Free
Online registration and the detailed programme is available at: http://www.isc-europe.com/dasconference/registration.php

Source : ISC