ABI is a research company that develops new product concepts and performs early stage product development. ABI partners with other companies for latter stages of product development, production and sales. ABI uses its platform technology is to express recombinant proteins that provide health and environmental benefits to society.
Platform technology
There are several protein technologies that have been in place for decades using microbial and animal cell cultures but every system has limitations. ABI takes advantage of the unique characteristics of plants to overproduce recombinant proteins. In particular, it selects proteins that are suited for this particular technology to achieve an advantage over traditional methods of over-expressing proteins. ABI’s system of choice is maize grain to produce recombinant proteins. In addition to the general features of maize grain that make it attractive, ABI has issued and pending patents that favor high expression.
Advantages of ABI’s platform technology
1) Low cost of production
2) Low upfront capital requirements
3) Does not harbor animal viruses
4) Capable of using protein directly without purification for oral delivery (e.g. oral vaccines)
5) Capable of using protein directly without purification for industrial applications (e.g. enzymes for biofuels)
6) Able to store protein in grain for years without loss of activity
7) Have protein products on the market using the technology demonstrating commercial feasibility
8) Have containment for regulatory compliance that can be provided by existing male sterility systems and geographic isolation