Piedmont Animal Health Enters License With Hokusan To Develop Interferon Canine Gingivitis Treatment In US
Greensboro, NC. August 27, 2019 – Piedmont Animal Health, a leading research and product development company based in Greensboro, NC, announces that it has executed a license agreement with Hokusan Co. Ltd based in Hokkaido, Japan, to develop, manufacture and commercialize recombinant interferon-alpha in the US for the treatment of gingivitis in dogs and potential other oral indications.
Recombinant canine interferon-alpha was invented, developed and registered in Japan by Hokusan, in partnership with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and the Kitasato Institute. InterBerry α® is currently distributed in Japan by DS Pharma Animal Health Co., Ltd.
Eric Barnett, EVP Business Development of Piedmont Animal Health, explains, “Piedmont was introduced to Hokusan as part of our ongoing technology partnership with Sumitomo. We were impressed by the innovative technology which was developed by some of Japan’s top researchers in pharmaceutical plant genetics.”
A spokesperson for Hokusan added, “InterBerry α is a canine gingivitis-reducing agent made from the fruit of transgenic strawberry that produces canine interferon-alpha. This drug is also a practical example of Plant-Made-Pharmaceuticals (PMPs).
The approval in Japan of a drug made from genetically modified plants that produce the active ingredients is itself a world first. Through partnerships with Piedmont, we hope to contribute to the oral care of companion animals in the United States and a broader awareness of the usefulness of PMPs.”
About Hokusan Company Ltd.
Hokusan Co. Ltd, is headquartered in Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido, Japan. The company was founded in 1951 and is a comprehensive agrochemical manufacturer based in Hokkaido, a major area of food production in Japan. Hokusan has research departments that are engaged in the development of new agrochemicals and plant biotechnology-based technologies. Hokusan is conducting joint research with The National Institute of Industrial Sciences and Technology on the production of useful materials by genetically modified plants. Transgenic strawberries expressing canine interferon-alpha are one of the research results. Web site (Japanese) http://www.hokusan-kk.jp/index.html
About Piedmont Animal Health
Piedmont Animal Health, a North Carolina, US – based company, is led by a team of experienced veterinary pharmaceutical innovators. A leader in innovation, Piedmont is dedicated to developing novel medications that improve compliance and ease of use. Piedmont specializes in inventing, developing, and gaining FDA approval for medications that are then out licensed to major animal health companies for commercialization. For more information, visit PiedmontAnimalHealth.com
Contact: For Piedmont inquiries, contact Jackie Plemmons, 336-544-0320, ext. 207, jplemmons@piedmontpharma.com