Alternative sources for better and safer products |
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Risk-free glucagon of non-animal source
The peptide glucagon is a hormone derived from the pancreas of pigs and cows. It is marketed for the treatment of hypoglycemia and as a diagnostic aid to relax the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract during radiologic or endoscopic diagnostic procedures. The extraction of glucagon from these animal sources is associated with the risk of transmission of infectious particles, i.e. those causing spongiform encephalopathies (BSE, Creutzfeld-Jakob disease). The company Novo Nordisk therefore decided to produce glucagon in Baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Since 1992, recombinant glucagon, which has more than 98% purity, offers a completely safe and risk free alternative to the animal-derived product.