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Market: TSXV
Sector: Pharmaceuticals
EPIC: MDG
Medicago
www.medicago.com/en

Medicago is developing VLP vaccines to protect against H5N1 pandemic influenza, using a transient expression system which produces recombinant vaccine antigens in non-transgenic plants.

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Medicago and Genopole extend partnership for the development of commercial-scale facility in France

26th Nov 2010, 2:35 pm
Medicago and Genopole extend partnership for the development of commercial-scale facility in France

Biotech company Medicago (TSX: MDG) said Friday it has extended its partnering agreement with French biopark Genopole, signed in July of last year, which laid out terms for the two companies to collaborate on the establishment of a commercial-scale facility based on Medicago's vaccine manufacturing technology in Evry, France.

Medicago develops vaccines based on Virus-Like Particle (VLP) and plant-based manufacturing technologies. The vaccines protect against H5N1 pandemic influenza, using an expression system that produces vaccine antigens in non-transgenic plants. The technology has the potential to deliver a vaccine for testing in about a month's time, avoiding the quick spread of a pandemic.

Today, the  two companies said they will work towards creating a research laboratory before building the commercial-scale facility, to study vaccine and antibody targets of interest for France in terms of public health and biodefense, which will also be located at the Genopole biopark in Evry.

Following Medicago's completion of its phase I clinical trial, the two companies met with French authorities to identify specific needs for the research and development of new high-priority vaccines, and concluded that the proposed implementation of such a laboratory for joint research was a step towards the establishment of a commercial-scale facility, they said.

"This laboratory could be a significant asset to further validate the broad application potential of our proprietary Virus-Like Particles and plant-based production/extraction technologies," said president and CEO of Medicago, Andy Sheldon.

Genopole is a French science park, which combines academic and private research laboratories, university/higher education facilities, biotechnology companies, and an incubator for biotech start-ups. The company's goal is to promote medical advances through research and development of large-scale biological activities, making France a major competitor in the industry.

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