Product Platform
The product concept involves recombinant therapeutic hormone proteins that have specified biological activities to meet the target profile for a given application. These hormone proteins are designed to either augment or replace the function of two key endogenous protein hormones, LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). The ovary contains follicles that ultimately release the egg to be fertilized. FSH controls the growth of the follicle and LH controls the egg’s release. Depending on the particular application, each of these functions can be modified therapeutically to provide the greatest likelihood of success. Aspen’s platform creates novel analogs of LH and FSH that are engineered to have specific properties that meet the needs of the given market.
There are a small number of competing products that have been on the market for several decades. These are derived from natural sources such as human and animal urine and animal pituitary glands. These hormones have limited effectiveness and, more importantly, regulatory pressures on manufacturing and safety have caused many of the products to exit the market altogether. This climate creates an opportunity for Aspen’s product line to conquer existing markets with safer, more effective alternatives. Additionally, the platform technology will enable Aspen to potentially create completely new uses and markets to solve the growing needs of the livestock management industries.
