Isogenica in partnership with Phylogica
15 February 2010
Isogenica Ltd has entered into an agreement with
Australian-based biopharmaceutical company Phylogica to use Isogenica’s
CIS display technology to optimize the performance of three of
Phylogica’s lead compounds targeting CD40 ligand (CD40L).
CD40L is a key protein involved in many inflammatory diseases, such
as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Isogenica specialises in the discovery of therapeutic and diagnostic
peptides and proteins using its proprietary technology, CIS display.
Founded in 2000 Isogenica has developed a unique capability in the
field of peptide engineering. CIS display, an in vitro display
technology, allows the rapid generation of polypeptide libraries of
unprecedented size and complexity from which it is possible to
select polypeptides with high affinity and specificity for most
targets.
Phylogica focuses on the discovery, development and
commercialization of Phylomer peptides, especially for inflammatory
diseases. Having already demonstrated lead peptide compounds that
bind with high affinity and are biologically active against CD40L,
Phylogica will utilise Isogenica’s CIS display technology to
initiate a comprehensive search process to optimize the exact
chemical and three dimensional structure required to further enhance
the properties of the Phylomer peptides. Helping improve drug
properties such as affinity, stability and potency.
“We believe that the use of CIS display will accelerate the rapid
entry of Phylogica drug candidates into preclinical development
programmes and increase their commercial value”, said Professor Paul
Watt, Phylogica’s VP, Corporate Development. “Phylomers are sourced
from the most structurally diverse peptide libraries in the world
which translates into exceptionally high bioactive hit rates,
including primary hits with picomolar affinities for their targets”,
Prof Watt added.
Kevin Matthews, CEO of Isogenica commented: “Isogenica is focused
on servicing the protein engineering needs of the pharmaceutical and
biotech industries. As such we are delighted to have the opportunity
to work with Phylogica, combining technologies that have the
potential to discover novel and potent therapeutic peptides”.
Phylogica joins over a dozen leading pharmaceutical and biotech
companies that have already partnered with Isogenica in the
discovery of novel peptides for therapeutic and non-therapeutic
applications or for licenses. These include Amgen, AstraZeneca,
Centocor, GE Healthcare, Invitrogen, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer,
Smiths Detection Systems, UCB, Wyeth.