Moose as a remedy of the future?

New production method allows the production of complex human proteins in mosses

Moose may be the drug factories of the future. In the search for suitable sustainable and biological methods in the production of drugs, scientists discovered great potential in the inconspicuous crops for the pharmaceutical, agricultural, food and cosmetics industries. Moose are true survivors and can adapt to the most extreme environmental conditions. The multiple opportunities that mosses provide in drug manufacturing are still largely untapped.

The Heilbronn-based company Greenovation has developed the drug "moss-aGal" against the metabolic disorder Fabry disease, which was produced with the help of genetically modified mosses. The drug has already successfully mastered a Phase 1 study. In October, following the treatment of the last patient, the Heilbronn-based company announced the successful completion of the Phase 1 clinical trial for its drug for the treatment of Fabry disease. "The observed drop in Gb3 levels in the urine shows an efficient uptake of the moss-aGal in the kidneys, which are often severely damaged in Fabry disease," says Prof. Julia Hennermann, chief physician of the study in a press release.

Various research projects aim to harness genetically modified mosses to produce complex fine chemicals. (Image: Jürgen Wackenhut / fotolia.com)

How does the production work??

According to the manufacturer, Greenovation Biotech GmbH has developed a process that uses the genetically modified moss Physcomitrella patens to produce complex human proteins in bioreactors. The highly effective glycoproteins can be used to treat rare diseases. The resulting drug "moss-aGal" is intended to serve as an enzyme replacement therapy for patients with Fabry disease. "Worldwide it is the first drug candidate that is produced in moss," the company writes on the company's website. Plans for a clinical trial II / III are already in progress. Data from the Phase 1 study will be presented on February 8, 2018, at the 14th World Symposium on Lysosomal Storage Disease ™ in San Diego.

When will the drug be available?

Greenovation Biotech GmbH has taken the first hurdle to approve a moss-based drug with successful completion of the Phase 1 study. "We expect the product to be ready for the market at the beginning of the next decade," says Dr. Thomas Frischmuth, CEO of Greenovation.

What are the benefits of "moss factories"

The manufacturer cites a variety of positive aspects of drug production using mosses over production systems based on animal cells. For example, no contaminants and pathogens are produced by animal products. The manufacturing costs are much lower. In addition, in mosses no use of antibiotics is necessary, which could cause resistance.

Moss research on the rise

The EU is also showing great interest in the green factories. It is supporting the Mosstech project with more than 1.6 million euros for the next four years. The aim of the project is to enable the production of complex fine chemicals in genetically modified mosses. The Faculty of Biology of the University of Freiburg is also present. Around half a million euros go to the University, whose Faculty of Biology is a leader in the field of moss research. Other universities in Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, the USA, Italy and Iceland are also involved in the project. (Fp)