Objective The aim of the SAGE project is to establish an improved plant production platform for pharmaceutical glycoproteins. Plant systems are inexpensive, scalable and safe, providing unique advantages for the production of pharmaceutical proteins, including therapeutic antibodies that are normally too expensive to produce through conventional means. This applies particularly to antibodies that are required in large amounts for use as diagnostics or in the treatment of certain types of cancer. However, the glycan structures added by plants are different to those found in humans, and the glycoform of an antibody is strongly influenced by the plant species, tissue, cell type and age. Using different plant-based expression systems and mammalian cells as a control, we intend to produce a therapeutic antibody that recognizes the well-characterized carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The antibody will thus be produced as a panel of different glycoforms, which we will test these systematically for stability, efficacy (e.g. in Fc-receptor binding assays, tumour cell binding assays and tumour grafting) and pharmacokinetic properties such as serum half life and ADCC (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity). These results will be exploited to develop safer and more active glycoform varieties for therapeutic applications. The SAGE project will be carried out by an international consortium of laboratories including one SME, four research organizations and two companies (Bayer BioScience, which is not requesting EU funding, and Icon Genetics). These participants are recognized as leaders in plant-based production technology and immunology, so approximately equal weighting will be given to the plant genetics and antibody characterization work within the project. The consortium is strengthened by the participation of Bayer BioScience, part of Bayer AG, a large company with a pharmaceutical division that has the ability to bring protein therapeutics to the market. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologyagricultural sciencesagricultural biotechnologyagricultural geneticsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncology Programme(s) FP6-LIFESCIHEALTH - Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health: Thematic Priority 1 under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006. Topic(s) LSH-2005-1.2.1-3 - Rational and accelerated development of new, safer, more effective drugs including pharmacogenomics approaches LSH-2005-1.2.5-4 - Innovative research in post-genomics, which has high potential for application Call for proposal FP6-2005-LIFESCIHEALTH-7 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project Coordinator FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V. EU contribution No data Address Hansastrasse 27c MUNCHEN Germany See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (8) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ICON GENETICS GMBH Germany EU contribution No data Address Weinbergweg 22 HALLE See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data GREENOVATION BIOTECH GMBH Germany EU contribution No data Address Boetzinger Str. 29b FREIBURG See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data BAYER BIOSCIENCE N.V. Belgium EU contribution No data Address Technologiepark 38 GENT See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data STICHTING DIENST LANDBOUWKUNDIG ONDERZOEK Netherlands EU contribution No data Address Costerweg 50 9101 WAGENINGEN See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data RHEINISCH-WESTFALISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE Germany EU contribution No data Address Templergraben 55 AACHEN See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data ST GEORGES HOSPITAL MEDICAL SCHOOL United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Cranmer Terrace LONDON See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITAT FUR BODENKULTUR WIEN / UNIVERSITY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES, VIENNA Austria EU contribution No data Address Gregor Mendel Strasse 33 VIENNA See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF SURREY United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Stag Hill GUILDFORD See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
