Complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) are relatively short peptide loops in antibodies where they bind to their specific antigens. Bovines, unlike humans and other vertebrates, rely on ultralong CDR H3 antibody knob regions to neutralize cryptic viral epitopes.
Twist Bioscience Corp. and Imidomics Inc. have established a multi-program collaboration whereby Twist will utilize its antigen development capabilities and Library of Libraries to conduct antibody discovery activities against targets identified by Imidomics.
Arialys Therapeutics Inc. launched this month with $58 million in seed funding, an experimental compound it is developing for autoimmune encephalitis and autoimmune psychosis, and high aspirations for its field. “Yes, I want to treat these patients, I want these patients to have a better life. But I also want drug discovery and development folks to think differently about discovering new drugs for the CNS,” Jay Lichter told BioWorld.
Glycotope GmbH and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association have signed an agreement to explore the potential of combining Glycotope’s antibodies against protein/carbohydrate combined glyco-epitopes (Glycotargets) with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology developed by the Max Delbrück Center.
Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. and biotech investment firm Aditum Bio Management Company LLC have announced the formation of Celexor Bio, a new biotech company focused on cell depletion of pathologic cells in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Celexor has been formed based on Inmagene’s IMG-018, a plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC)-depleting antibody targeting immunoglobulin-like transcript 7 (ILT7).
Scinai Immunotherapeutics Ltd. (formerly Biondvax Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) has released promising results from a preclinical study of Scinai’s anti‑IL‑17 nanosized VHH antibodies (NanoAbs) as a treatment for plaque psoriasis. The alpaca‑derived recombinant variable domain of heavy-chain-only antibodies are designed to be administered locally.
Arialys Therapeutics Inc. has closed $58 million in seed financing. The proceeds of the financing will be used to advance new precision medicines that specifically block pathogenic autoantibodies in the central nervous system (CNS) with the aim of treating neuropsychiatric diseases driven by autoimmunity.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has a new candidate for its treatment. Nasal anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (MAb) reduced microglia activation in the brain of mice without its effect being dependent on the β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits characteristic of this neurodegenerative disorder. “We have done many basic studies in the laboratory on microglia. Microglia activation occurs in many neurologic diseases. One of them is multiple sclerosis (MS). And it also occurs in AD,” senior author Howard Weiner told BioWorld.
Twist Bioscience Corp. has established a drug discovery agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. to discover and develop novel antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Ceramedix Holding LLC has been awarded a phase IIB Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant valued at approximately US$3 million by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to support the evaluation of the non-clinical pharmacology of its lead drug candidate. The anti-ceramide antibody is in development through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a potential therapeutic to mitigate and/or treat illness due to radiation exposure.
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