3-D structural approach on the Hansenula polymorpha-derived PEGylated interferon-α2a

The majority of interferons available for therapeutic use are derived from the prokaryote E. coli. A new recombinant human interferon α2a (IFN-α2a; Reiferon®) has been derived from the yeast Hansenula polymorpha – a eukaryotic expression system. Safety and efficacy for this drug was tested in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Egypt. The unmodified yeast-derived IFN-α2a is the basis for a newly developed PEGylated IFN-α2a (Reiferon Retard®) which will be described in the following.