Avacta Group plc, the developer of Affimer® biotherapeutics and research reagents, is pleased to announce that data from a collaboration with researchers at the University of Copenhagen have shown that targeted Affimer expression using genetically engineered barley can improve disease resistance in one of the world's major cereal crops. The research was supported through Danish federal funding with Avacta providing access to the Affimer technology and know-how.

A study investigating whether Affimer technology could be used to block the mechanism by which powdery mildew infects the barley plant and overcomes its immune system was undertaken by a research group led by Professor Hans Thordal-Christensen from the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. The research showed that when certain specific Affimer constructs were expressed by the plant, a 40% reduction in the susceptibility of barley to powdery mildew was observed. These promising early results indicate the potential use of Affimer technology to treat and diagnose a wide range of diseases in plants.

Barley has many uses in the human food chain and animal fodder, as well as being a major ingredient in beer and whisky production. One of the most devastating diseases of barley is powdery mildew which can typically reduce yields by 15%1 and has a significant effect on costs downstream in food and drink production. Plants rely on an innate immunity to protect themselves against such diseases but the pathogens evolve to overcome the plant's immune system and can mutate to develop resistance to fungicides. Genetic modifications can impart disease resistance and reduce the use of fungicides, but often this approach has the side effect of reducing yield itself. There is therefore a high unmet need to develop treatments that improve disease resistance in plants.

This approach to combating plant pathogens is another example of an application where it is unlikely that antibodies could provide a practical solution. In contrast to the straightforward expression of Affimer proteins in plant cells, as evidenced by this work, it is widely accepted that it is very challenging to produce functioning antibodies in plants.

Dr Alastair Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Avacta, commented:

"I am delighted to see the interesting results generated by Professor Hans Thordal-Christensen and his team. This innovative approach to combating plant pathogens is another good example of an application where antibodies cannot provide a practical solution and where, conversely, the Affimer technology shows promise. This work is an important further validation of the Affimer platform and we will continue to keep the market updated on any such results that we are able to share."

Professor Hans Thordal-Christensen, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, commented:

"An Affimer-based approach to improving resistance will be highly specific against the barley powdery mildew and it should be able to stop the disease development in its early stages. Solutions like this could hopefully make fungicide use unnecessary and problematic disease resistance a thing of the past."