The rationale for believing that the lead phylomer candidates could be fast tracked is in part based upon the request by unknown parties - presumably Big Pharma - for additional in vitro data on benchmarks which compete with "the new generation of anti-CD40L therapies that have recently entered Phase I/II clinical trial[s]".
Professor Watt, taken from Isogenica collaboration announcement...
We believe that the use of CIS display will accelerate the rapid entry of Phylogica drug candidates into preclinical development programs and increase their commercial value”, said Professor Paul Watt, Phylogica’s VP, Corporate Development.
Also taken from the same announcement highlighting the recent comments from management:
CD40 ligand
The CD40 ligand has been validated in multiple models of inflammatory diseases including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE) and in reduction of transplant rejection. Blockade of CD40L with antibodies has also shown therapeutic benefit in humans although this was associated with adverse side affects, which are now thought to be antibody-related and which peptides such as Phylomers are expected to avoid. In addition, large proteins such as antibodies are normally delivered by injection, while there are a number of approved peptide drugs that can be delivered by patient friendly routes such as intranasal inhalation.
I also had a read of a few of the earlier announcements and found that CD40L target is also a validated disease target in many other inflammatory diseases which include diabetes, IBD, uveitis, thyroiditis, lupus and nephritis. One of the announcements mentioned that an anti-CD40L mAb (IDEC-131) was tested in clinical trials for Multiple Sclerosis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Interesting targets.
With 8 companies evaluating the data pack, it wouldn't surprise me if one or more are already are at licensing term sheet negotiations with CD40L.
Regards, Tony
PYC Price at posting:
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