Is Biolex Credible?
After three readings of the Biolex PR, I still don't understand what the company claims.
Take this paragraph:
Biolex, Inc., a privately held protein therapeutics company, today announced the issuance of a patent that broadly claims methods for immunizing a human or non-human animal against an antigen by administering an antibody produced by transgenic plants. This is the first patent ever awarded for the use of "plantibodies" (plant-made antibodies) to treat humans. Biolex now has exclusive rights to five U.S. patents in its Plantibodies portfolio, giving the company coverage for the production of antibodies in transgenic plants and their use to treat humans.
Say what?
1)As far as I know, antigens are used to immunize, not antibodies. I can't imagine how an antibody could induce immunity unless it somehow caused another antibody to be produced in vivo. Maybe this is semantics and they mean that by administering antibody, temporary immunity (exogenous antibody levels) is produced.
2) Is it theoretically, legally, or practically possible to be granted exclusive patents to produce antibodies from transgenic plants? I am aware that GTCB has somewhat similar claims for transgenic protein production (which, as I recall does not extend to all antibodies) in mammals. But, how can a government entity give away the IP to the plant kingdom's protein production? Give me a break. That just seems too broad and too inviting to challenge, not to mention unjust.
urche
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