ToolGen (CEO Kim Young-ho, Lee Byung-hwa) announced on the 20th that it has developed a ‘genetic editing station’ that can be used in the field of xenotransplantation, such as Latbio (CEO Janggu) and artificial blood. This development is the result of the CRISPR-Cas9 technology transfer signed by the two companies in 2021 and the joint research agreement in March last year.
An official from Toolgen said, “Gene-edited cows for artificial blood are currently being bred and managed in the LMO (Genetically Modified Organism) test barn of the affiliated Livestock Technology Research Institute with Gyeongsangbuk-do.” We carry out the breeding and breeding of Korean cattle. improve, develop and distribute new livestock technology, and produce and supply excellent breeding stock, and we conduct joint research in accordance with the advanced biotechnology business agreement signed with Latbio in 2017.”
The gene-edited cow developed by the two companies is an animal in which major antigens to which human antibodies respond have been removed with the CRISPR genetic scissors. This technology is known as a key technology to overcome ‘immune rejection’, which is an obstacle to success in xenotransplantation, and the company explains that it can be used in the field of xenotransplantation as artificial blood in the future. In addition, meat from genetically modified cows from which allergen-causing antigens have been removed can be used as ‘allergen-free’ meat.
Janggu, CEO of Litbio, said, “In 2021, we signed a technology transfer agreement with Toolgen and CRISPR Cassnine, and applied gene editing technology to develop beef with stronger muscles.” I hope the deregulation and organizational overhaul will be done quickly.”
Byung-Hwa Lee, CEO of ToolGen, said, “CRISPR genetic scissors technology is an advanced bio-convergence technology that can be used not only in the artificial blood market, which is estimated to be worth about 22 trillion won in 2027, but also in xenotransplantation, treatment development, and animal and plant breeding.” We will visualize business results by collaborating with various companies.”
Meanwhile, according to the 2020 report of the World Health Organization (WHO), 118.5 million units of blood are donated every year, but it is known that regional imbalances are very serious in a situation where there is a shortage compared to global demand. In addition, according to the 2019 report of The Lancet by a research team at the University of Washington in the United States, 119 out of 195 countries experience a shortage of blood.
Abroad, based on investment in the development of artificial blood technology, source technology is secured and clinical access is approaching. The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has reduced the unit cost of artificial blood cell production technology development and raw material production through the ‘Blood Pharming Project’. A research team at the University of Bristol in the UK developed a cell line that can be used for general blood donation by removing antigens with genetic scissors.
In addition, the Korean government also announced that it would preemptively invest in the commercialization of artificial blood using advanced biotechnology to overcome the limitations of the current blood supply and blood transfusion system, which relies on blood donation, through the Promotion Conference 3 Great for Innovative. Growth in July 2021. .
