There is a new revolution in plant-based biopharmaceutical production that combines strict genetic containment, accelerated plant growth and unrivalled environmental control. The key to this new technology is the biosecure underground growth chamber (BUGC). Given the changing regulatory enviroment, this concept is a viable solution for plant-made pharmaceutical drug development.

Contents
Canadian Operations
US Operations
Advantages of Biosecure Underground Growth Chambers
Taking Pharmaceutical Production Underground (Abstract)

Canadian Operations
In 1990, Prairie Plant Systems Inc. entered into a joint venture with Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd., for the establishment of the first state-of-the-art underground growth chamber in a copper and zinc mine at Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada. Plants are grown in an unused portion of the mine 360 metres below the earth’s surface. The goal of the initial project was to evaluate the quality, quantity, and cost of producing a variety of crops in the mine drift.

Plants, particularly C3 plants, benefit significantly from the underground environment and exhibit a dramatic increase in growth without altering the basic phytochemical profile.

During the 13 years the underground operation has been in existence, research has been conducted on over 500 plant species including various softwood and hardwood species, culinary herbs, nutraceuticals, ornamentals and agricultural crops. Examples include species of Nicotiana, Taxus, Maize, Brassica, Populus, Echinacea, and Ocimum.

Based on the success and security of the underground facility, the company was awarded a five-year contract by Health Canada for the development of comprehensive operations for the cultivation and fabrication of marihuana in Canada. The underground growth chamber and bioprocessing facility constructed for this contract is GMP compliant and has attained a Level 7 security designation.

Although the current project occupies 12,000 ft2, the Flin Flon operation has approximately 300,000 ft2 for future potential development.

Contact Address
Prairie Plant Systems Inc.
Box 19A, RR5
1 Plant Technology Road
Saskatoon, SK S7K 3J8
Phone: 306.975.1207
Fax: 306.975.0440
Email: pps@prairieplant.com

US Operations
The first underground chamber for the U.S. subsidiary, SubTerra LLC, was constructed and commenced operations in White Pine, Michigan in 2000. In that same year, SubTerra LLC was contracted for the growth, production and harvest of transgenic tobacco seed used in cancer research.

SubTerra continues to cultivate and process biopharmaceutical plant species with several industry collaborators. The potential underground growth chamber and bioprocessing area available for expansion exceeds 65 acres (3 million ft2).

Plant production in a biosecure underground growth chamber allows for the efficient use of research and development funds by reducing the costs associated with regulatory approvals for genetic containment in the early stages of biopharmaceutical development.

Contact Address
SubTerra LLC
Box 55, 104 Wilcox Road
White Pine MI 49971
Phone: 906.885.5953
Fax: 906.885.5954
Email: management @subterra.com
Website: www.subterrallc.com

Advantages of Biosecure
Underground Growth Chambers

Genetic and Physical Security
Germoplasm containment.
Ensures protection of proprietary technology
    and intellectual property from sabotage or
    competitive surveillance.

Quality Assurance/Control
GAP and GLP compliance – growth chamber.
CGMP compliance – bioprocessing.

No Insects/Weeds = No Pesicides/Herbicides
BUGC is relatively disease/pest free.
Completely isolated from the outside
     environment.

Year-Round Environmental Control
Computer monitored to provide 24/7
     environmental control.
Accelerated growth.

Shorter growth cycle results in faster research and development feedback.

From Lab to Commercial Production
Biotherapeutic proteins.
Rare and important phytochemical
     compounds.

Biopharm International
http://www.biopharminternational.com/biopharm/