Antitope To Partner With UCL In Antibody Project
Antitope, an Abzena firm focused on biopharmaceutical development, announced its collaboration with the University College London (UCL) to humanize an anti-LRG1 antibody in order to inhibit cancer growth and spread.
UCL researchers identified LRG1 (leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1) as a key factor in encouraging angiogenesis, the growth of blood vessels. Angiogenesis is a strong driver of cancer and has been the target of therapeutic approaches in treatment of a variety of ophthalmic diseases. The project will be conducted under an MRC-funded translational research and product development program being undertaken by the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.
Matt Baker, Abzena's CSO, said, “The use of antagonists of LRG1 to inhibit angiogenesis is an interesting area of research that could lead to the treatment of a number of different angiogenesis-driven diseases, such as AMD and some cancers. We are delighted to be supporting UCL in the development of a fully human anti-LRG1 antibody.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Antitope will leverage its Composite Human Antibody technology to provide a range of fully humanized antibodies designed to bind to and inhibit LGR1’s function. UCL will choose a lead antibody candidate for further assessment as a potential treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Prof. Stephen Moss, Ashton Professor of Biomedical Research and Vice-Dean Enterprise, said, “LRG1 is a highly promising target for controlling pathogenic angiogenesis, and we are excited to be working with Antitope to develop an anti-LRG1 antibody as a potential therapeutic agent.”
The partnership is supported by UCL’s technology transfer subsidiary UCL Business PLC (UCLB). UCLB currently holds the patents related to the LRG1 technologies and supplied initial funding for the project’s Proof of Concept. The company said it is seeking commercial partners to bring the technology to the market. No financial terms of the agreement were disclosed by either Antitope or UCLB.
Earlier this month UCLB also entered into partnership with Healthbox and Numbers4Good to search and support early-stage social ventures that could deliver significant social and healthcare benefits to the public.