FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE:
London, Ontario (June 21, 2003)
(London,
ON) Plantigen Inc. announced today it has signed a collaborative research
agreement with Calgary-based Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. The research
agreement is focused on plant-made antigens that prevent auto-immune disease
in companion animals. The collaboration will build on Plantigen's intellectual
property and expertise in immune modulation using mammalian proteins derived
from plants.
"This collaboration between Plantigen Inc. and Dow AgroSciences,
exemplifies our commitment to research collaborations, partnerships, and
driving towards product innovation," said Butch Mercer, Global Business
Leader, Animal Health & Nutrition for Dow AgroSciences. "Plantigen's
unique technology and their medical 'hands-on' clinical expertise in the
field of auto-immune diseases, coupled with Dow AgroSciences' plant biotechnology
expertise, creates the critical mass of technologies required to bring
new solutions to address debilitating health conditions for companion
animals."
"We see this collaboration as a unique opportunity to demonstrate
the promise of this technology in delivering safe, efficacious and cost-effective
doses of mammalian proteins, in order to combat serious diseases such
as Diabetes, Crohns and other disorders of the immune system," said
Dr. Anthony Jevnikar, Chief Scientific Officer for Plantigen Inc. "Together
with the strength that Dow
AgroSciences offers in agriculture and plant technology, we will be able
to leverage our medical expertise to make this promise a reality."
ABOUT PLANTIGEN
Plantigen Inc. is a discovery company focused on the identification and
development of plant-derived biopharmaceuticals for the prevention and
treatment of human disease. The company is a spin-off of the Lawson Health
Research Institute, the research arm of the founding hospital in London,
Ontario, Canada. Plantigen is developing products using genetically enhanced
plants - ORAmmune™ and PHYTOkines™ to combat immune system disorders.
These products are in their pre-clinical stage of development.
Please visit www.plantigen.com
ABOUT DOW AGROSCIENCES
Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. is a subsidiary of Dow AgroSciences LLC,
based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Dow AgroSciences is a global leader
in providing pest management and biotechnology products that improve the
quality and quantity of the earth's food supply and contribute to the
safety, health and quality of life of the world's growing population.
Dow AgroSciences has approximately 6,000 people in more than 50 countries
dedicated to its business, and has worldwide sales of more than US $2.7
billion. Dow AgroSciences is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of The
Dow Chemical Company. For more information about Dow AgroSciences,
visit www.dowagro.com
Plantigen
Contact:
Michele Martin
519-646-6100, ext. 64680
michele.martin@sjhc.london.on.ca
Dow AgroSciences
Contact:
Robyn Heine
317-337-4807
rheine@dow.com
