References:
Oxford Biomedica
http://www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk/
Biomedica USA
http://www.biomedica-usa.com/about.asp
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Horse & Hound Online, UK
Horse virus hope for Parkinson's
Emma Thomas
27 June 2003
Parkinson's sufferers may soon be offered a new treatment involving a genetically engineered horse virus
Scientists are currently working on a new treatment for Parkinson's sufferers using a genetically modified strain of an
equine virus.
Details of this new treatment were revealed earlier this week and human trials are expected to begin early next year.
The company behind the work is called Oxford Biomedica and was founded by British professors Alan and Susan Kingsman.
Parkinson's is a progressive disease affecting the brain and nervous system and occurs when the brain loses its ability
to produce dopamine- producing cells. Victims of the disease suffer from tremors, muscular rigidity and slow
uncoordinated movement.
Current treatment involves the use of synthesised dopamine but this can cause severe side-effects The company hopes
that by using a modified virus derived from equine infectious anaemia (EIA) it can deliver natural dopamine directly
into a patient's brain.
Scientists have engineered EIA to remove a large fraction of the virus so it is capable of delivering the therapeutic
gene without reproducing a replication of the virus.
EIA belongs to the group of viruses known as lentiviruses and trials have so far shown that modified strains of EIA
cause limited harm to humans. They are perfectly evolved to carry the dopamine into human brain cells, and because
nerve cells are long lasting, treatment may not need to be repeated.
SOURCE: Horse & Hound Online, UK
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/printview/?afw_source_key={25003E0B-164D-4220-9731-A0944F736F8D}
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