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Ky9™ canine antibody discovery platform complete
The work will enable the discovery of affordable, effective, and long-lasting companion animal medicines.
Platform completion announced after successful genetic material transfer. 

What is likely the largest successful transfer of genetic material from one mammalian species to another (not involving human DNA) has recently been carried out by scientists at PetMedix.

The transfer involved more than 4 Mbp of canine antibody DNA being transferred into the mouse genome. Genome engineering of this scale and sophistication was important to maintain immunoglobulin gene structure and integrity, reconfiguring the gene structure to the base pair, in order to replicate and exploit the mouse's natural immune system. The Ky9™ platform is then able to produce fully mature antibodies, selected in vivo for the highest quality, biological activity, stability and half-life. 

This work will ultimately enable the discovery of affordable, highly-effective, and long-lasting companion animal medicines. 

This work marks the end of the PetMedix Ky9™ platform, which is unequaled in its ability to be used to discover fully canine therapeutic antibodies. It is the only platform and technology in the world to be able to select fully canine therapeutic antibodies in vivo in that manner. A similarly hugely-important genome engineering undertaking was the basis of the technology that underpins Kymab's Kymouse antibody discovery platform. 

A number of internal discovery programmes have already been assisted by the Ky9 platform at PetMedix, and the platform provides the foundation for the partnership between PetMedix and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. 

Additionally, PetMedix has also begun work on its new Felyne™ platform, which similarly to the Ky9 mouse, will attempt to enable the discovery of fully feline therapeutic antibodies, bringing novel therapies for the species. 

Speaking on the completion of the Ky9™ platform, PetMedix CEO Dr Tom Weaver said: “Our goal at PetMedix is to bring the very best therapeutics to companion animal medicine. That we have reached this significant milestone is testament to the incredible team of nearly 40 scientists we have at PetMedix.

“For a company that is only 2 years old to have both completed a platform at this scale, and to have already used it to discover antibodies with best-in-class potential is down to the quality of both the science we are carrying out, and the people we have working on it.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.