North Carolina is known throughout the world for its health care – not only for its hospitals and clinics but also for its research labs and manufacturing plants.
And biotechnology plays a role throughout.
Therapy Products
Vaccines are being developed against cancer, rabies, malaria and many other diseases, with the help of biotechnology tools.
Biotechnology techniques are used to develop and manufacture therapeutic proteins, insulin and blood-clotting factors.
In Clayton, for example, Talecris Biotherapeutics makes Gamimune N and Gamunex, immunoglobulin intravenous therapy products used to prevent or treat some illnesses that can occur when a person’s immune system alone cannot prevent those diseases.
Diagnostic Tests
Rapid and cost-effective diagnostic tests for strep throat, cancer and high cholesterol have been developed with the use of biotechnology. Early diagnosis of these and other diseases leads to earlier and more effective treatment.
LabCorp, headquartered in Burlington, is a pioneer in technologies for diagnostic testing and genetic analysis of diseases such as cancer, HIV and cystic fibrosis. An Asheville company, Genova Diagnostics, specializes in developing non-invasive tests to diagnose digestive diseases.
Genetic tests can warn of potential diseases, such as diabetes, cancer and asthma so therapies can begin as early as possible.
Physician researchers in North Carolina, with grant help from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, are also reporting major advances in using biotechnology capabilities to adapt animal organs for human use and even growing organs from donors’ own cells.