IZB MARTINSRIED/MUNICH
IZB companies: new collaborations and drug candidate progress
We report on the latest developments at IZB in which 4SC and Crelux have formed a new anti-cancer collaboration with Ribological, Suppremol has introduced a new antibody rheumatoid arthritis drug candidate, and LEUKOCARE has acquired new funding.
4SC AG’s subsidiary 4SC Discovery GmbH, which specialises in the discovery and early- stage research of novel therapeutic compounds, has agreed a research collaboration with Ribological GmbH, based in Mainz, Germany in the area of compound screening. The aim of the research project is to identify and optimise new and more effective anti-cancer compounds. 4SC Discovery and Crelux GmbH, its strategic partner for services in the field of biopharmaceutical early-stage research, have been commissioned by Ribological to implement a hit-finding programme to identify and optimise potential new small-molecule compounds that are expected to have a synergistic effect with the RNA molecules used by Ribological in cancer immunotherapy. Ribological intends to carry out preclinical testing of the compounds and, if successful, develop these further in clinical trials in combination with its RNA-based drugs. 4SC Discovery is using its patented IT-aided in-silico screening process to perform calculations of the properties of several million substances with the goal of identifying the best possible drug candidates. This is intended to accelerate the development process for early-stage compound research and achieve greater cost efficiency than conventional approaches. Crelux, which specialises in research services in the field of
i2c also includes research collaborations based on risk-sharing models including milestones and royalties. Collaborations are provided as tailor-made solutions for smaller-sized companies and for pharmaceutical partners.
proteins, especially protein production and crystallisation, is performing the associated molecular-biological tests for optimising the compounds in INTRACT-MST assays. The companies say the partnership will generate revenue that could reach the low six-figure euro range for each of them. The integrated drug discovery platform i2c
(idea to candidate) of 4SC Discovery and Crelux offers a seamless process from early concept through to a preclinical development candidate ready to advance into formal animal model testing and thereafter into clinical trials. The i2c client groups are pharmaceutical companies looking to outsource part of their early discovery projects and also small and mid-size biotech companies lacking the relevant infrastructure. Besides the standard fee-for-service offerings,
Ribological is a subsidiary of BioNTech AG and develops pharmacologically optimised, RNA-based drugs for targeted immunotherapy for cancer. The Group parent, BioNTech, is a spin-off from Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany. Together with its subsidiaries, the company researches and develops molecular diagnostics and targeted immunotherapies for personalised clinical application.
4SC kidney transplantation model data published
4SC AG has published new preclinical data for its lead autoimmune product vidofludimus (4SC-101) in the scientific journal Transplantation (15 June 2012, Volume 93, Issue 11, p. 1101-1107) showing that vidofludimus prolongs survival after kidney transplantation paralleled by amelioration of histological signs of acute transplant rejection in a preclinical model. In addition, in a remnant kidney model vidofludimus had no worsening effects on kidney function and showed protective effects on kidneys by slowing kidney fibrosis. Vidofludimus, an oral inhibitor of IL-17A and IL-17F and of DHODH, has demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory activity and good safety in several preclinical and clinical studies in various autoimmune indications and 4SC is currently in talks with potential partners to prepare a Phase 2b study with the drug in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
New 4SC AG Supervisory Board chairman
IZB, the Innovation and Founding Center for biotech start-ups located in Martinsried/Munich.
4SC AG’s Supervisory Board has elected Dr Thomas Werner as its new chairman and Dr Manfred Rüdiger as its new deputy chairman, each with a term of office running until the end of the Annual General Meeting that takes a resolution on formally approving the actions of the members of the Supervisory Board for
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