ENEA inaugurates PharmaGREEN biomanufacturing pilot plant

ENEA has inaugurated PharmaGREEN, a pilot plant located at the Casaccia Research Center in Rome, designed for the rapid and low-cost production of biopharmaceuticals. Developed as part of the PAN-HUB project funded by the Italian Ministry of Health, the facility utilizes plant molecular farming to produce antibodies.

The system uses Nicotiana benthamiana, a wild tobacco plant, as a biofactory. This plant is chosen for its rapid growth and ability to efficiently receive external DNA to produce biopharmaceuticals without the use of genetically modified plants. The modular, automated vertical farm design uses hydroponic cultivation to allow for scalable production.

In collaboration with the Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, researchers have already successfully produced a broad-spectrum antibody capable of neutralizing various SARS-CoV-2 variants. Tests have confirmed that these antibodies maintain the ability to block viral replication in animal cell cultures. The technology aims to strengthen national and European pandemic response capabilities by providing a faster, more cost-effective alternative to conventional production platforms.