IGY Life Sciences and Immune Technologies developed a 94.8% pure version of its Muno-IgY ingredient for targeting immune and gut health. IgY is a protein derived from hen egg yolks, and is evidenced to modulate immune function and gut health due to the antibodies it contains.
 
Independent analytical testing was conducted by the Edmonton, Alberta-based Keystone Laboratories, through a proprietary high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology for IgY proteins. HPLC is an industry-standard test for protein purity, and the sample was supplied by IGY Life Sciences directly from its production room.
 
“The 94.8% purity is the mean from triplicate analysis. This is a major milestone within the industry,” said Dr. Navneet Sharma, chief of quality control and regulatory compliance.
 
IGY Life Sciences has improved from a 30% average purity for its IgY over the past year to what it considers a ‘pharmaceutical grade’ ingredient. The industry average for whole yolk IgY is between one and three percent, and that product contains a lot of fat, resulting in a shortened shelf life, the company reports, noting that the ability to produce antibodies at such pure levels is a defining advantage of the company and its products.
 
“Refining our production process to manufacture a higher purity product has been the primary goal for the Company over the past year. We are incredibly pleased with results delivered by our research and development team.” said Terry Dyck, IGY Life Sciences’ CEO. He adds, “For our nutraceutical products, high purity IgY allows our clients to offer a consistent product with a much higher level of efficacy. Our Muno-IgY will be standardized at 50% pure for the nutraceutical industry and move to higher purity levels for specific antibodies used within the pharmaceutical industry. For pharmaceuticals, the new achievement means applications for specific antibodies can now be produced in large scale quantities. Such applications such as IgY targeting Celiac or IBD will now come into focus.”