Other Biotechnology Derived Products

Saudi Bio will be able to produce other biotechnology derived products in the future by licensing-in other technologies. Acertus Pharma will facilitate obtaining licenses for other biotechnology derived products since they have the technology to produce these products. The other biotechnology derived products are as follows:

Analogue Insulin

An insulin analogue is an altered form of insulin that performs the same action as human insulin in terms of glycemic control. Through genetic engineering of the underlying DNA, the amino acid sequence of insulin can be changed to alter its ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) characteristics. These modifications have been used to create two types of insulin analogues: those that are more readily absorbed from the injection site and therefore act faster than natural insulin injected subcutaneously, intended to supply the bolus level of insulin needed after a meal; and those that are released slowly over a period of between 8 and 24 hours, intended to supply the basal level of insulin for the day.

GM-CSF

Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor is a protein secreted by macrophages, T cells, Mast cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts that functions as a white blood cell growth factor. GM-CSF is used for the acceleration of white blood cell recovery following autologous bone marrow transplantation in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute lymphocytic leukaemia, or Hodgkin's disease. The FDA also approved sargramostim for treatment of fungal infections and replenishment of white blood cells following chemotherapy.

G-CSF

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; is a colony-stimulating factor hormone. It is a glycoprotein, growth factor and cytokine produced by a number of different tissues to stimulate bone marrow to produce granulocytes and stem cells. G-CSF is used in oncology and haematology, a recombinant form of G-CSF is used with certain cancer patients to accelerate recovery from neutropenia after chemotherapy, allowing higher-intensity treatment regimens.

IFN-Alpha

Interferon Alpha proteins are produced by leukocytes and are mainly involved in the innate immune response against viral infection. IFN-Alpha stimulates both macrophages and NK cells to elicit an antiviral response, and are also active against tumours.

Erythropoietin

Erythropoietin is a hormone that induces red blood cell production. Erythropoietin is used in treating anaemia resulting from chronic kidney disease and myelodysplasia from the treatment of cancer (chemotherapy and radiation), and from other critical illnesses (heart failure).

Human Growth Hormone

Human Growth Hormone is a hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction and regeneration. Human Growth Hormone is used to treat such conditions as Turner Syndrome, chronic renal failure, Prader-Willi syndrome, intrauterine growth retardation and severe idiopathic short stature. HGH is also used in anti-aging and adult growth hormone deficiency.