Actimmune, Interferon gamma-1b injection

Actimmune is a recombinant pharmaceutical used to treat children and adults with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD, an immune system disorder) and severe, malignant osteopetrosis (a disease which causes bones to become extremely dense and can lead to blindness, scoliosis, and a number of other problems).

Recombinant pharmaceuticals are created by inserting genes from one species into a host species, often yeast or bacteria, where they do not naturally occur. The genes code for a desired product, and therefore the genetically modified host organisms can be grown and used as a kind of living factory to produce the product. In this case, genes coding for human interferon are inserted into bacteria. Interferon is a substance that is naturally made by the body to fight infections and tumors. Bacteria produce the interferon, which is harvested and used as the active ingredient in Actimmune.

Object is a plastic clamshell-style box with tabs for opening labeled "HOLD" and "LIFT." Box contains 12 single-dose vials, which are round, clear glass bottles with blue plastic tops and white labels with black and green printing.

Currently not on view