Under a new  agreement with ProGenetics LLC (Blacksburg, VA), GTC Biotherapeutics (GTC,  Framingham, MA) will expand its portfolio to include protein therapeutics  produced in the milk of transgenic pigs. GTC currently produces and markets  ATryn, a recombinant form of human antithrombin, produced in the milk of  transgenic goats. 

  The agreement  grants GTC an exclusive license to develop and commercialize ProGenetics’  recombinant human factor IX, recombinant human factor VIII, and recombinant  human fibrinogen for North America, Europe, and Japan. ProGenetics will be  responsible for the production of the proteins in the milk of their transgenic  pigs. GTC will be responsible for manufacturing, clinical development,  regulatory affairs, and commercialization activities in its territories. 

  In exchange,  ProGenetics will receive a non-exclusive license to GTC’s patent in the US for  the transgenic expression of therapeutic proteins in milk to enable the commercial  development of these products outside of North America, Europe, and Japan. 

  GTC was the  first company to receive approval anywhere in the world for a transgenically  produced protein for human therapeutic use when it received European Commission  approval for ATryn in August 2006. The company plans to submit a biologics  license application in the US in the first half of 2008. 

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Under a new agreement with ProGenetics LLC (Blacksburg, VA), GTC Biotherapeutics (GTC, Framingham, MA) will expand its portfolio to include protein therapeutics produced in the milk of transgenic pigs.