ImmunoGenes. Improving Antibody Production Using Genetically Modified Animals. HIPO - April 3-4, 2012

Transcription

1 ImmunoGenes Improving Antibody Production Using Genetically Modified Animals HIPO - April 3-4, 2012

2 Significant Opportunity The $40 billion monoclonal antibody (mab) and $ 4 billion polyclonal antibody (pab) markets are areas with dramatic growth Challenges faced by developers of antibody-based therapeutics and diagnostics: difficulty in making antibodies against weakly immunogenic targets (mabs) costs in generating large quantities (pabs) ImmunoGenes technology in genetically modified animals offers advantages in both segments Attracted attention of leading drug development companies signed deals with top 10 pharma and specialized Ab companies

3 How It Works Animals genetically modified by delivery of specially selected gene via Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) Gene incorporated into recipient genome (thus inherited) Genetic modification causes overexpression of a receptor called the neonatal Fc receptor for IgG (FcRn) Increased FcRn improves quantity and quality of antibodies and production of hybridomas

4 Augmented Immune Response Enhanced antigen presentation increases number of antigen specific B cells in spleen by 2-3x Increases number and diversity of B cells available for hybridoma production Allows generation of antibodies to weakly immunogenic antigens Speeds monoclonal development Produces larger amount of polyclonal antibody CXCR4 specific mabs only from the bfcrn Tg mice (experiments performed at SDIX, USA) Mouse Type CXCR4 positives Balb/c 0 bfcrn Tg 4

5 Traction with Key Scientific Journals Scientific articles in well-respected journals The Journal of Immunology article showed the multifold increase of the antigen-specific IgG in serum and the many more antigenspecific B cells in spleen mabs article described the ability of the FcRn overexpressing system to react to difficult antigens Immunology Letters article demonstrated increased number of antigen-specific hybridomas PLoS One article described the ability of the FcRn overexpressing system to augment antigen presentation and increase humoral diversity mabs review article summarized immunophenotypic characterization PLoS One article described the ability of the FcRn overexpressing system in transgenic rabbits

6 Business Strategy Has Two Tracks ImmunoGenes has pursued a two-fold core strategy collaborations with leading players in the mab/pab field both large biotech/pharma and antibody specialists validating technology in their own protocols licensing discussions with first user underway Customized Antibody Solution (CAS) in-house program for specialty customers to generate antibodies against challenging target premium cash price and combined milestone and royalty payment structure for unique hybridomas

7 Success With First Partners Both large pharma and specialized antibody makers are testing the mice for therapeutic and diagnostic uses all pay for access to the technology First of these experiments have been completed; our partners were able to reproduce the success that we described mice produce higher quantity of antibodies greater numbers of antigen specific B cells more hybridomas than the control mice antibodies against poorly immunogenic targets (FLU, CXCR4) that have high therapeutic interests

8 Multiple Funding Sources Grants from the Hungarian Government National Office for Research and Technology Hungarian Scientific Research Fund Revenue from Customized Antibody Solutions (CAS) generate antibodies for specialty customers Revenues from Customized Transgenic Solutions (CTS) generating transgenic animals for third parties Funds from private investors, VC

9 Strong IP Position Patent office granted European patent on June 22, 2011 Divisional aplications underway Patent applications have been filed and are pending in other major markets USA, Canada, Japan, China, Australia Company enjoys a favorable freedom to operate position

10 History concept developed by Hungarian scientists Imre Kacskovics at Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE) and Zsuzsanna Bosze at Agricultural Biotechnology Center (ABC) 2006, patent applications filed (Danubia Patent and Law Office, Hungary) ImmunoGenes Ltd (Hungary) founded by Kacskovics and Bosze exclusive license to ImmunoGenes granted high-quality international business team added International Scientific Advisory Board established 2008 Swiss topco founded FcRn transgenic rabbit created contract with the Roslin Institute to create FcRn tg sheep collaborations with large US companies 2011 European patent granted

11 Seasoned, Proven Team Imre Kacskovics, D.V.M., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer Expert in immunoglobulins and Fc receptors areas (40 per-reviewed publications) International network, major role in national and international societies Wolfgang Oster, M.D., Ph.D. - Chairman Over 20 years experience in life sciences venture capital; multiple exits Extensive experience bringing products to market Lee Schalop, M.D., Chief Operating Advisor; Head of Business Development 20yrs experience on Wall Street, working financial markets, investment banking Strong business development, fundraising experience Patent Attorneys First class legal team Global firm with expertise in life sciences practice Patent law firm with focus on biotechnology, medical science and engineering Based in Munich