YM BioSciences announces collaboration with University of Toronto focused on development of radionuclide-conjugated antibodIes
YM BioSciences Inc. announced results of a collaboration with researchers at the University of Toronto for the development of highly potent antibody-radionuclide conjugates for use in the treatment of cancer. The approach has successfully concluded its first series of proof-of-principle experiments establishing promise for future development and application. The first antibody conjugate is nimotuzumab coupled to a radionuclide, indium-111, and a cell-nucleus delivery system developed in the laboratory of Dr. Raymond Reilly, Professor, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto.
"Nimotuzumab is ideal for conjugation to potent compounds with a high cytotoxic activity such as the radionuclide used in this initial experiment in which it is combined with a cell-nucleus delivery system, or targeted radiotherapy, because of nimotuzumab's demonstrated attribute of selecting for antigen over-expression," said David Allan, Chairman & CEO of YM BioSciences Inc. "This property of selectivity differentiates nimotuzumab from other EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibodies permitting it to carry toxic payloads without the collateral toxicity to normal cells that would occur with indiscriminate binding."
"YM anticipates that the addition of a potent compound with a high cytotoxic activity to YM's affinity-optimized IntelliMab(TM) HER2-targeting antibody analog, announced on December 10th, 2009, that avoids the demonstrated cardiac toxicity of Herceptin, would be a valuable addition to the armamentarium against breast cancer," said Sean Thompson, Vice President, Corporate Development of YM and General Manager of the IntelliMab platform. "Since it is nimotuzumab's apparently ideal affinity optimization that permits it to combine efficacy with minimal toxicity YM plans to follow these initial experiments with nimotuzumab with our IntelliMab HER 2-targeting antibody since it is expected to enjoy the same attributes as nimotuzumab in specifically targeting cancer cells and largely avoiding cardiac myocytes."
Preliminary experimental data with the nimotuzumab radionuclide conjugate demonstrates that the combination is active against cancer cells over-expressing EGFR, as is nimotuzumab alone, but with significantly improved potency due to the radiation emitted by the indium-111 conjugated toxin.
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Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous
Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous
