Feb
8, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) -- The Food and Drug Administration has for the
first time in history approved a drug produced by a genetically engineered animal,
the associated press reported on Friday.
The
drug called ATryn is harvested from the milk produced by a genetically
engineered goat. The animal has been so genetically modified that it produces a
higher level of antithrombin, a protein that acts as a blood thinner.
About
1 in 5000 people suffer a genetic disorder and are not able to produce enough
antithrombin protein, GTC Biotherapeutics, the manufacturer of ATryn, was cited
as saying. These people are at high risk of deadly blood clots. Pregnant women
with the disorder are at high risk of having stillbirth or miscarriage.
Treatment
of the disorder currently relies on conventional blood thinners such as Plavix
from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi-Aventis, the AP reported.
But
the new biotech drug is not in a position to replace the conventional blood
thinners.
ATryn is indicated only for
use in patients who are at high risk of blood clots such as those undergoing surgery
and pregnant women with the genetic disorder.
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