MilliporeSigma’s ZooMAb Antibodies Earn ACT Label from My Green Lab

MilliporeSigma, the US and Canada life science business of Merck KGaA, announced that its ZooMAb recombinant antibodies earned an accountability, consistency, and transparency (ACT) label from My Green Lab, a non-profit focused on promoting sustainability in science. ZooMAb is the first-ever antibody to receive the ACT label designation, according to MilliporeSigma in an April 14, 2022 press release.

According to the press release, the antibodies received the lowest environmental impact factor (EIF) scores in the chemicals and reagents category. MilliporeSigma attributes multiple characteristics of the antibodies to this score:

• As recombinant antibodies, they can be shipped in room temperature packaging. Traditional monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) must be shipped in specially insulated, ice-cooled containers, which contribute to high packaging material consumption and transport emissions.
• The antibodies weigh 2.5 grams, which allows for more opportunities to eventually ship the product in much smaller packaging. MilliporeSigma estimates that this would prevent the emission of around 175 metric tons of CO2 per year by 2025.
• While the antibodies are based on animal cells, like traditional mAbs, the recombinant technology they employ provides a greater, more consistent supply. It also reduces the use of animals in research.

In addition to these factors, the manufacturing facility where the antibodies are produced has implemented energy, water and waste reduction measures, produces renewable energy from a wind farm, and has an environmental management system program that is International Organization for Standardization 14001 certified. The antibodies also do not contain any Red List chemicals, carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction substances, polybutylene terephthalate, or GreenScreen Benchmark-1 chemicals, further contributing favorably to its low EIF score.

“Helping our customers and suppliers to reduce their impact on the environment is a key part of our sustainability strategy,” said Jeffrey Whitford, head of sustainability and social business innovation, MilliporeSigma, in the press release. “By showing how products rate in different categories, such as manufacturing; energy and water use; packaging; and end-of-life, the ACT label gives scientists another data point to help increase their sustainability. We are proud to be part of this program and are thrilled to achieve one of the top ranking EIF scores for our ZooMAb antibodies.”

Source: MilliporeSigma