Medicago Inc MDCGF

RE: Protein Purification Process

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Does anyone know the current status of their patent applications?  It would seem this is why they have been invited to sit at the big party table in the US.  

"Theextraction and purification of recombinant proteins and complexstructures such as VLPs from plant cell impurities has been a majorimpediment to the development of our industry since its early days.Current methods rely on mechanical breakdown of plant biomass toseparate recombinant proteins and VLPs from plant cells. Unfortunatelythese methods also frees plant impurities from the plant cell, whichrender downstream purification more costly and complex." said LouisVézina, Chief Scientific Officer of Medicago. "We have discovered andfiled patent applications for a new method of biochemical degradationthat releases recombinant proteins and/or VLPs in the extract andeliminates most plant-originating impurities in one single-step whichgreatly simplifies subsequent purification steps."

"These new patent applications will enhance the company's IPposition, and establish our competitive advantage with respect to thedevelopment of VLPs and other recombinant proteins in plants. We havesuccessfully applied our process to a broad range of VLPs andrecombinant proteins such as antibodies," saidAndy Sheldon,President and CEO of Medicago. "Our new purification process willreduce cost, allow for a simpler regulatory process, and provide easiertechnology transfer for potential licensees. We hold all intellectualproperty rights related to our purification process and believe ourinnovative method is a key technology for the future of our industry.""