5. Health applications for proteins produced in insect cells

The baculovirus/insect cell system is undergoing tremendous development in the field of vaccines. One of its main advantages is undoubtedly its rapid implementation. This is particularly important in the case of vaccines against various influenza viruses. Conventional vaccine production methods are based on virus amplification in embryonated chicken eggs. The virus produced must then be inactivated before it can be used for vaccination. The main antigen in such vaccines is hemagglutinin (HA), which must match that of the predominant circulating strain. The whole procedure of virus production, purification and inactivation can be lengthy, and in some cases can cause severe allergic reactions to egg proteins.

Recombinant hemagglutinin production in insect cells in culture combines the precision of genetic engineering with the speed of production processes...