Orthoclone OKT3 Muromonab-CD3

Orthoclone OKT3 prevents rejection of new tissues in patients who have received kidney grafts. It was the first drug created through monoclonal antibody technology to be approved for human use.

Monoclonal antibody technology uses specially made cells as tiny factories to pump out pure sources of a single antibody. Prior to its development, it was very difficult to isolate large amounts of a single antibody for therapeutic use.

Monoclonal antibody cells are created by fusing two cells of different origins. One cell, from a mouse's spleen, produces the antibody. The other cell, from a tumor, has the ability to replicate continuously. By fusing the two cells, a new cell is created which has the best characteristics of both-it produces the antibody and also grows quickly. These new cells produce large amounts of pure antibodies which are harvested for use in drugs like Orthoclone OKT3.

The object is a clear glass 5 mL ampule with a blue ring around the neck and a clear label with blue printing. It is housed in a formfitting plastic case with snap top and snap sides.

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