BY: SAMANTHA BARTLETT, DVM

In aging cates with renal disease, anemia is a common phenomenon as the kidneys fail to secrete erythropoietin (EPO). EPO is a hormone secreted by the kidneys that induces the production of red blood cells. Until now, the only option for these cats was the use of human EPO for severe anemia. Because human EPO is a heterologous protein for cats, there is a real risk of adverse allergic reactions in cats. There is a need for a safer effective alternative to improve the quality of life in cats with chronic renal disease. 

Using transgenic chicken production technology, scientists have developed feline erythropoietin (fEPO) with feline-derived amino acid sequences. Scientists injected a viral vector expressing fEPO genes into an embryo of a fertilized chicken egg. fEPO was produced within the egg albumin fraction. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) modification was performed on the fEPO collected from the chicken eggs and produced Pegylated fEPO which offers a longer period of efficacy compared to non-modified fEPO. Studies show little adverse reactions and symptoms such as loss of appetite and energy are reduced leading to higher quality of life. 

Kaneka Corporation will license the fEPO to domestic animal drug companies to manufacture and sell the product for use in veterinary patients.