ID :
83734
Thu, 10/08/2009 - 21:01
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/83734
The shortlink copeid
Anti-bird flu substance developed for mass production
By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Yonhap) -- An anti-viral substance that can help prevent the
spread of bird flu has been developed for mass production, a state-run laboratory
said Thursday.
So-called KW-100, made from various medicinal plants and root extracts, will be
used to make special animal feed by year's end, with development to be carried
out to produce food additives and medicine for humans down the road, the Korea
Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) said.
Tests showed the substance effectively inhibits neuraminidase enzymes linked to
the spread of flu viruses and can be used to combat avian influenza that affects
both poultry and humans, as well as viral strains responsible for the deadly
Spanish flu that killed large numbers of people in the early part of the 20th
century.
The laboratory in Jeongeup, 300km south of Seoul, said the new substance, which
took two years to develop at a cost of about 2 billion won (US$1.7 million),
could have a considerable market impact within the country and in places like
Southeast Asia that are struggling to contain bird flu outbreaks on a regular
basis.
South Korea has been hit by bird flu three times since 2003 resulting in large
numbers of chickens and ducks being culled. Damages exceeded 264 billion won in
2008 although no fatalities were reported in the country.
"The potential market is considerable since the substance has qualities similar
to those of products such as Tamiflu," said KRIBB project manager Jung
Heung-chae.
He added that the laboratory has signed a technology transfer deal worth 30
billion won with Koreastevia Co. in North Jeolla Province that will be tasked
with mass production of the product. Patent protection is also being sought for
the substance.
Koreastevia is a leading producer of special animal feed, dietary supplements and
medicinal drugs and has been recognized for its stringent quality control.
Jung said that because the KW-100 has been tested to deal effectively with the
spread of viruses, experiments will be conducted to see if it can help stem the
spread of the new H1N1 Influenza.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Yonhap) -- An anti-viral substance that can help prevent the
spread of bird flu has been developed for mass production, a state-run laboratory
said Thursday.
So-called KW-100, made from various medicinal plants and root extracts, will be
used to make special animal feed by year's end, with development to be carried
out to produce food additives and medicine for humans down the road, the Korea
Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) said.
Tests showed the substance effectively inhibits neuraminidase enzymes linked to
the spread of flu viruses and can be used to combat avian influenza that affects
both poultry and humans, as well as viral strains responsible for the deadly
Spanish flu that killed large numbers of people in the early part of the 20th
century.
The laboratory in Jeongeup, 300km south of Seoul, said the new substance, which
took two years to develop at a cost of about 2 billion won (US$1.7 million),
could have a considerable market impact within the country and in places like
Southeast Asia that are struggling to contain bird flu outbreaks on a regular
basis.
South Korea has been hit by bird flu three times since 2003 resulting in large
numbers of chickens and ducks being culled. Damages exceeded 264 billion won in
2008 although no fatalities were reported in the country.
"The potential market is considerable since the substance has qualities similar
to those of products such as Tamiflu," said KRIBB project manager Jung
Heung-chae.
He added that the laboratory has signed a technology transfer deal worth 30
billion won with Koreastevia Co. in North Jeolla Province that will be tasked
with mass production of the product. Patent protection is also being sought for
the substance.
Koreastevia is a leading producer of special animal feed, dietary supplements and
medicinal drugs and has been recognized for its stringent quality control.
Jung said that because the KW-100 has been tested to deal effectively with the
spread of viruses, experiments will be conducted to see if it can help stem the
spread of the new H1N1 Influenza.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
