A European Medicines Agency advisory committee has recommended approval of the world's first medicine derived from a genetically engineered animal.
The panel supported approval of ATryn, an anti-clotting agent for people with a rare inherited disease. It is made from the milk of genetically engineered goats.
The compound is at the forefront of the emerging field of "pharming" -- the addition of one or more genes to plants or animals that induces them to produce medical products.
The drug, developed by a pair of Massachusetts-based biotechs, GTC Biotherapeutis and Genzyme, is designed for use in patients with congenital antithrombin deficiency undergoing surgery. It helps prevent deep-vein thrombosis.
The drug could receive final approval in Europe in two months. It is currently undergoing Phase III trials in the United States.
Source: Star-Ledger
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