Cologne, Germany
March 5, 2001

MPB Cologne GmbH, the Molecular Farming company based in Cologne, Germany, announced today that is has been granted US patent 6,194,201 covering an anaerobic gene expression system for recombinant proteins in plants. It is based on a promoter derived from maize which is inactive under normal conditions in potato, but is rapidly activated in an oxygen-depleted atmosphere, e.g. by simple flooding with nitrogen. This system plays an important role in MPB's post-harvest-production technology in Industrial Potato Tubers.

Dr. Klaus Düring, President & CEO of MPB Cologne, said: "MPB Cologne regards post-harvest-production to be a key component of Molecular Farming for the production of bioactive compounds. Post-harvest-production eliminates any effects foreign proteins may have on plant physiology and growth. Furthermore, biosafety is a major issue in MPB's Molecular Farming approach.

Anaerobically induced post-harvest production ensures that the recombinant protein will not be present in the field." Molecular Farming is a novel technology for economical large-scale production of proteins in plant bioreactors. Potato tubers are optimal for efficient post-harvest-production. They remain in a latent dormancy state but metabolic processes can be rapidly reactivated by stimuli such as oxygen depletion. The anaerobic gene expression system is protected by an international patent family. Patents in Australia and New Zealand have been granted recently.

MPB Cologne develops and produces novel proteins as materials and active agents by Molecular Farming in genetically optimized potato tubers for industry customers and partners. The Industrial Potato Tuber is used as a plant bioreactor for economical large-scale production with highest quality standards.

Company news release
mpb5