Dr Yury Chernoff
Editor
Prion
27 Jun. 14
Dear Dr Chernoff
In Prion 8: Supplement, 3–11 (April/May 2014), Professor Adriano Aguzzi alleged that Professor John Collinge of the MRC Prion Unit had impeded his research by refusing to “exchange reagents or to make ICSM18 available in any other way.” This is an inaccurate representation of the situation. In fact, Professor Collinge is not able to exchange or make available this antibody as he does not have the legal right to do so. The ICSM18 antibody is owned by D-Gen Limited and is supplied to MRC subject to a material use agreement that does not permit onward supply of the antibody to other parties. Consequently neither Professor Collinge nor anybody else at MRC is at liberty to make this antibody available to third parties. This position is well known to Professor Aguzzi as extensive correspondence on this subject has been exchanged with him by Professor Collinge, D-Gen management (who take decisions on antibody sale and supply independently from Professor Collinge) and myself.
Yours Sincerely,
Professor Sir John Savill
Chief Executive MRC