title: Realising the value of plant molecular pharming to benefit the poor in developing countries and emerging economies.
abstract: Molecular Pharming, the production of recombinant pharmaceuticals through plant biotechnology, has the potential to transform the biologics sector of the pharmaceutical industry. More fascinating however, is how it might be used to improve access to modern medicines, and improve health of the poor in developing countries and emerging economies. Although improving global health through molecular pharming has been discussed for at least two decades, little progress has actually been made. In this manuscript, a four point plan is described to maximise the opportunity for molecular pharming to provide solutions. These are (i) to identify and prioritise important drug targets that are relevant to the poor; (ii) to support research and development partners in low to middle income countries to develop local expertise, transfer technology and build capacity; (iii) to increase collaboration between regulatory bodies to enable national regulatory frameworks to be developed in low to middle income countries; and (iv) to promote intellectual property management approaches that include socially responsible licensing. An existing case study is described to illustrate how this might be achieved.
authors.affiliation: The Hotung Molecular Immunology Unit, Division of Clinical Sciences, St. George's University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Julian K-C
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Christou
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chikwamba
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haydon
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Merardo Pujol
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Sathishkumar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramalingam
authors.forename: Elibio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rech
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rybicki
authors.forename: Andres
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wigdorovitz
authors.forename: Dai-Chang
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thangaraj
mesh_terms: D001688:Biological Products / Q000378:metabolism; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003906:Developing Countries; D015195:Drug Design; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D018973:Intellectual Property; D058634:Molecular Farming / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D012106:Research; D018581:Technology Transfer; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products
keywords: developing countries; low income; molecular pharming; regulatory framework; resource-poor; socially responsible licensing