Molecular Farming: Biotechnological Approaches for Producing High-Value Plant-derived Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Jachak Rashmi 
Published: September 2024

Molecular farming is an advanced biotechnological breakthrough that utilises transgenic plants to behave as biofactories, manufacturing intricate and valuable medicinal proteins. This discipline combines modern genetic engineering techniques with conventional agricultural practices to facilitate the sustainable manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals, such as vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and medicinal enzymes. Molecular farming enables the precise expression of therapeutic proteins by incorporating transgenes encoding these proteins into plant genomes. This process takes place in a regulated and biosafe environment, resulting in a cost-effective production system. This study explores advanced biotechnology methods that are now leading the field of molecular farming. The text emphasizes the utilization of cutting-edge gene-editing techniques, including Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR/Cas9) and Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs). These methods not only enable accurate genomic insertions but also improve the efficiency of gene expression at the transcriptional and translational levels in plant cells. The use of both conventional viral vectors and novel synthetic vector systems is crucial in guaranteeing the steady integration, expression, and inheritance of transgenes. In addition, the study examines numerous crucial case studies where molecular farming has been effectively employed. These activities encompass the creation of antigens for vaccines targeting infectious illnesses such as influenza and HPV, as well as the manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune disorders and malignancies. The conversation encompasses the process of bringing these drugs generated from plants into the commercial market. It explores the case of Elelyso, a treatment that replaces enzymes and is manufactured from carrot cells, which has successfully entered the market. Although molecular farming offers promise benefits, it faces several scientific and regulatory obstacles. Significant obstacles include the variation in protein expression levels across various plant hosts, challenges in extracting and purifying the proteins, and the requirement for substantial clinical studies to prove both safety and effectiveness. Furthermore, the regulations governing plant-derived medicines are intricate and strict, frequently necessitating tailored frameworks to accommodate the distinct characteristics of plant-based manufacturing systems.  The report finishes by evaluating the future potential of molecular farming in relation to the changing requirements of the pharmaceutical business. The technology's intrinsic adaptability and capacity for expansion make it especially beneficial for quickly addressing health emergencies, such as pandemics, where conventional manufacturing methods may not be able to fulfill the immediate need for drugs. The ongoing progress in plant biotechnology, vector engineering, and regulatory science is expected to broaden the therapeutic uses of molecular farming, solidifying its role as a crucial component of cutting-edge drug production methods.
Keywords- Molecular farming, plant derived pharmaceuticals.