Magnets 'could cut NHS drug bill'

The technique helps improve the productivity of cell cultures

Cancer and arthritis drugs could become much cheaper to make by using magnets during the manufacturing process, researchers say.

A University of Edinburgh team has developed a more streamlined method of making protein-based drugs, which are made by growing cell cultures in a lab.

Magnets coated with special antibodies were used to draw out dead cells.

The scientists said the remaining cells were then 100% more efficient in making the proteins used to create drugs.

Mimicking nature

Prof Chris Gregory, of the university's Centre for Inflammation Research, said the technique could cut the price of NHS medicines like breast cancer treatment Herceptin and arthritis drug Enbrel.

He said the findings could also have implications for vaccine development and stem cell research.

"We are essentially mimicking what happens in the body when scavenger cells remove dead and abnormal cells," he said.

"If the dead cells are not removed, then this affects how healthy cells behave.

"Not only will this make the production of drugs more efficient, but it will also streamline research into new medicines which use cell culture."

The researchers have formed a spin-off company, Immunosolv, to market the technology.