Figure 1.

The intricate paths of antibody generation. Organisms are shaded in black. Importantly, recombinant antibodies are not always non-animal derived, as today the various advantages of the recombinant format are utilized both by animal- and non-animal-derived antibodies. Vast antibody variable region gene libraries, which can be obtained from human donor blood or by in silico design, offer animal-free access to antibody genes. However, the use of gene libraries does not always guarantee animal-free products, as they can be used in transgenic animals or obtained after animal immunization. It is also often overlooked that, after the initial animal-free generation of an antibody clone, animal materials may be used to produce these antibodies in useful quantities. Conversely, today any recombinant animal- or non-animal-derived antibody could also be produced in a vegan cell culture system. Since this map shows several paths consisting entirely of green arrows, “vegan” antibodies are indeed a reality.

*, see¹³