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Pharma-Planta: road testing the developing regulatory guidelines for plant-made pharmaceuticals

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Abstract

Significant advances over the last few years have seen plant-made pharmaceuticals (PMPs) move from the exploratory research phase towards clinical trials, with the first commercial products for human use expected to reach the market by 2009. Europe has yet to witness the commercial application of PMP technology, although at least one product has begun phase II clinical trials with others following close behind. These emerging products are set to challenge the complex and overlapping regulations that currently govern GM plants and ‘conventional’ pharmaceutical production. The areas of responsibility are being mapped out between the different EU regulatory agencies, with specific guidelines currently being drawn up for the regulation of PMPs. This article discusses issues surrounding the development of robust risk-assessment and risk-management practices based on health and environmental impact, while working with EU regulatory authorities to ensure appropriate regulatory oversight.

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Acknowledgements

The Pharma-Planta programme is a consortium of 39 principal scientists from academic and industrial institutions in Europe and South Africa. Pharma-Planta is funded by the European Commission as part of the Sixth Framework Programme in the area of “Plant platforms for immunotherapeutic biomolecule production”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK

    Penelope Amelia Claire Sparrow & Judith A. Irwin

  2. Emeritus Fellow, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK

    Phil J. Dale

  3. Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK

    Richard M. Twyman

  4. St George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London, London, SW17 0RE, UK

    Julian K. C. Ma

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  1. Penelope Amelia Claire Sparrow
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  2. Judith A. Irwin
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  5. Julian K. C. Ma
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Correspondence to Penelope Amelia Claire Sparrow.

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Sparrow, P.A.C., Irwin, J. ., Dale, P.J. et al. Pharma-Planta: road testing the developing regulatory guidelines for plant-made pharmaceuticals. Transgenic Res 16, 147–161 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-007-9074-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-007-9074-2

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