TIDMGNS
RNS Number : 2738I
Genus PLC
08 December 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8 December 2015
Genus plc
('Genus' or the 'Company')
Genus tackles major pig disease with breakthrough technology
Genus (LSE: GNS), a global pioneer in animal genetics, announces
the development of the first pigs resistant to Porcine Reproductive
and Respiratory Syndrome Virus ("PRRSv"), through a long-standing
collaboration with the University of Missouri.
The production of PRRSv resistant pigs is a significant
breakthrough in combating this devastating porcine disease, and
Genus is excited to be progressing the development of this
technology under an exclusive global license from the University of
Missouri.
PRRSv is the most significant and harmful pig disease faced by
many farmers, causing animal reproductive failure, reduced growth
and premature death. Even though it has challenged the pork
industry for more than 25 years, there is currently no cure for
PRRSv. The technology has the potential to eliminate the disease
impact on the animals, improve the well-being of pigs, and enhance
pig farm productivity, which ultimately will help meet the global
demand for pork products.
Using precise gene editing, the University of Missouri was able
to breed pigs that do not produce a specific protein necessary for
the virus to spread in the animals. The early stage studies
conducted by the University demonstrate these PRRSv resistant pigs,
when exposed to the virus, do not get sick and continue to gain
weight normally. Genus will continue to develop this technology,
and we expect it will be at least five years until PRRS resistant
animals are available to farmers. Genus intends to commercialize
the technology through PIC, its porcine division.
The university research results have been published in the
peer-reviewed scientific journal, Nature Biotechnology, on December
7.
Speaking about this breakthrough, Dr Jonathan Lightner, Chief
Scientific Officer and Head of R&D of Genus, said:
"The demonstration of genetic resistance to the PRRS virus by
gene editing is a potential game-changer for the pork industry.
There are several critical challenges ahead as we develop and
commercialize this technology; however, the promise is clear, and
Genus is committed to developing its potential. Genus is dedicated
to the responsible exploration of new innovations that benefit the
well-being of animals, farmers, and ultimately consumers."
Dr Randall Prather, distinguished professor of animal sciences
at the University of Missouri, said:
"We are delighted to have been working with Genus and to have
discovered a major breakthrough in tackling this devastating
disease that causes suffering to so many animals around the
world."
For further media enquiries contact:
For Genus
Charles Ryland / Vicky Watkins (at Buchanan): +44 (0) 207 466 5000
Email: charlesr@buchanan.uk.com / victoriaw@buchanan.uk.com
For PIC
Amy te Plate-Church (at CMA): +1 816 556 3172
Email: amytc@CMABuildsTrust.com
For the University of Missouri
Christian Basi: +1 573 882-4430
Email: BasiC@missouri.edu
About Genus plc and the Pig Improvement Company (PIC)
-- Headquartered in Basingstoke, United Kingdom, Genus is a
world-leading pioneer in animal genetics. The company helps nourish
the world through the responsible exploration of new technologies
that benefit its customers, the well-being of livestock, and
ultimately consumers.
-- PIC is a subsidiary of Genus, and is the global leader in
providing genetically superior pig breeding stock and technical
support for maximising genetic potential to commercial pork
producers. PIC has been delivering genetic improvements for over 50
years.
-- Genus' customers' animals produce offspring with greater
production efficiency, and quality, and use these to supply the
animal protein supply chain. Genus is a leading partner of choice
in dairy, beef and pork markets through PIC, for porcine customers,
and ABS, which serves dairy and beef customers.
-- Genus companies operate in over 25 countries on six
continents, with research laboratories located in Madison,
Wisconsin, USA. For more information visit www.genusplc.com.
About Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus
-- PRRSv is a devastating disease that can cause persistent
infection in pigs and lead to reproductive failure, reduced growth
and premature death. There is currently no cure for the disease,
which causes the suffering or death of millions of pigs and piglets
each year. Current treatment is expensive with limited
effectiveness.
-- PRRSv is considered to be the most economically burdensome
viral disease of pig farms in Asia, Europe and North America.
Financial losses are mainly due to increased death loss, poor
reproductive performance and increased use of vaccines and
medications.
-- Secondary diseases following a PRRSv outbreak on a farm can
further reduce productivity and lead to additional costs.
Diagnostic testing and herd monitoring after a PRRSv introduction
are necessary to develop comprehensive control strategies, which
are costly and have limited effectiveness.
-- In 2006, a more severe form of PRRSv decimated pig
populations throughout China. According to the China Animal Disease
Control Center, in the summer of 2006, a new severe variant of
PRRSv affected over two million pigs.
-- A 2011 Iowa State University study estimated PRRSv cost the
U.S. pork industry $664 million per year, and in Europe figures are
estimated at EUR1.5 billion per year.
About gene editing technology
-- Gene editing allows precise changes to be made in the genome
of the animal without introducing genetic material from another
organism. In the case of the PRRSv resistant pigs, small changes
were made to inactivate a single gene from the pigs that produces a
protein, known as CD163, the PRRS virus requires for infection to
occur.
-- The gene editing technology used to create protection from
PRRSv does not involve transplanting genes from one species to
another.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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