Green Fluorescent Protein Transgenic MouseResearchers from China reported, in Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica, a way to improve antibody production. Traditionally, antibody production uses recombinant fusion protein as an antigen to raise antibodies against the epitope, part of the molecule recognized by the immune system, of a target protein. At noted by the authors however is the issue that “the concomitant anticarrier antibody in resulting antiserum reduces the production of the desired antibody and brings about unwanted non-specific immune reactions.” To alleviate these issues the authors used a green fluorescent protein transgenic mouse. The carrier protein mouse produced a higher concentration of antibodies against the desired target protein compared to control mice.

This is an interesting but already developed way to use transgenic animals.  Medarex has been using transgenic mice since 2001 to make 100% human protein antibodies for use in therapeutics. The more pressing question is the application of this technology. For years Medarex has been promising that they would have a product out with one of their partners; a long list including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Amgen, Roche, Genmab, and Eli Lilly. However this promise is still on the back burner. The closest they have come to being on the market is the work they have done with Centocor. This product, CNTO 1275, is in the process of getting Biologica License Approval. Hopefully Medarex will finally perform as stated but, if I was an investor I would be concerned as the stock has taken a dive in the last six months from above $17/share to the current price of $8.77/share.