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Orthodox Union certifies enzyme replacement therapy as kosher

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The Orthodox Union has certified taliglucerase alfa as a kosher treatment option for adults with type 1 Gaucher disease, according to a press release.

Taliglucerase alfa (Elelyso, Pfizer) is the first FDA-approved plant cell-based recombinant therapeutic protein. It also is the first prescription medication to be certified kosher by the Orthodox Union.

Gaucher disease affects about 10,000 people worldwide. One in 14 Ashkenazi Jews are carriers of the disease.

“We are proud to grant kosher certification to Elelyso. Gaucher disease and its treatment options are an important issue in the Jewish community. … In a life or death situation, Jewish law clearly sets aside the kosher status of a prescription medicine, but in other cases, it is preferable and sometimes recommended that a medicine be certified kosher. We commend Pfizer for taking this step and making this commitment to the Jewish community,” Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of Orthodox Union Kosher, said in the release.