VERAXA Biotech (NASDAQ: VRXA) and Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG have announced initial positive results from their strategic research collaboration aimed at developing next-generation antibody oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) for autoimmune and chronic immune diseases. In early in vitro studies, an AOC candidate combining the companies' technologies demonstrated greater potency than the equivalent unconjugated oligonucleotide, supporting the potential of the approach to selectively deliver therapeutic oligonucleotides to disease-specific cells.
The companies said they are discussing next steps in the collaboration, which VERAXA noted demonstrates the potential application of its proprietary click chemistry-powered conjugation technology beyond its primary focus on solid tumors. This is a significant milestone as it broadens the scope of VERAXA's technology platform, which was previously centered on oncology.
VERAXA Biotech is building a premier engine for the discovery and development of next-generation antibody-based therapeutics, including bispecific T cell engagers, bispecific ADCs, and other innovative formats. Powered by a suite of transformative technologies and guided by rigorous quality-by-design principles, the company is rapidly advancing its pipeline of ADCs and proprietary BiTAC formats into clinical development and beyond. VERAXA was founded on scientific breakthroughs made at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), a world-renowned institution known for pioneering life science research and cutting-edge technology.
Secarna Pharmaceuticals is a company focused on the discovery and development of novel oligonucleotide-based therapies. The collaboration combines VERAXA's expertise in antibody engineering and conjugation with Secarna's proprietary antisense oligonucleotide platform, aiming to create targeted therapies that can precisely modulate disease-related genes in specific cell types.
The positive early results are a proof-of-concept for the AOC approach, which has the potential to improve the therapeutic index of oligonucleotides by delivering them specifically to cells involved in the disease process. This could lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects for patients with autoimmune and chronic immune diseases, which are often difficult to manage with current therapies.
The announcement is particularly notable for VERAXA, as it validates the versatility of its conjugation technology. The company's click chemistry-based approach allows for the efficient and stable attachment of various payloads to antibodies, which can be customized for different therapeutic applications. By demonstrating efficacy in an AOC format, VERAXA is positioning itself as a key player in the emerging field of targeted oligonucleotide delivery.
For more information, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/IF9Cy. The latest news and updates relating to VRXA are available in the company's newsroom at http://ibn.fm/VRXA.
