Dr. Louis P. Vézina (Medicago Inc., Quebec) nd Dr. Loic Faye (CNRS University of Rouen, France) with their respective groups have discovered that a monoclonal antibody (IgG1) expressed in alfalfa plants shows a remarquable homogeneity in its N-glycan structures, a "molecular decoration" (sugar chain) attached to the antibody which is key in determining time efficacy in the boold stream. The details of their research were published last month in the Plant Biotechnology Journal where they present the many advantages of such findings.

This discovery is of major importance in the field of biopharmaceuticals as it may save an important problem on which regulating authorities are vigilant. There is indeed a real need to improve the homogeneity of N-glycan structures of proteins since they are known to influence safety and efficiency of biopharmaceuticals.

In fact, the heterogeneity of monoclonal antibody N-glycans has been reported from several expression systems and constitutes a cause of variations from one production batch to another one. These are variations that can affect quality and efficiency of medicine. Alfalfa appears to have a unique ability to glycosylate proteins with an exceptional efficiency (75% homogeneity).

"Such efficiency has never been observed with other systems and other plants. This discovery positions Medicago's alfalfa platform as a system of choice for the production of safer and more efficient biopharmaceutical products", declared Louis P. Vézina, Chief Scientific Officer of Medicago Inc.

In the next months, Medicago will work to confirm these data with other proteins. The next step will be to derive remodelling techniques in order to customize N-glycan structures for each targeted biopharmaceutical. This work will be greatly facilitated by the homogeneity of the starting material.

"We are very pleased as these results address a highly important aspect of drug development. The result validates Medicago's alfalfa-based platform into a lead position in the exciting growth area of Plant Made Pharmaceuticals", concluded Andy Sheldon, Chief Executive Officer of Medicago Inc.

Medicago (Quebec, Canada) is a privately-held biotechnology company focused on the development of new generation of biopharmaceutical products to fight against major human diseases. Medicago Inc. develops and utilizes a unique alfalfa-based protein production platform which has a potential for the commercialization of new biopharmaceutical proteins with up to now unseen speed, safety and competitive advantages. The company achieves the optimal utilization of its competitive position through the establishment of selected strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies for specific products.