AATec Medical Announces its Launch with EUR 2.7 million in Seed Financing to Unlock the Therapeutic Potential of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin
Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is an immuno-modulator with broadband anti-inflammatory and antiviral therapeutic effects
AATec Medical GmbH (AATec), a German biotech company developing a multi-product platform based on recombinant alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), announced that it has commenced operations with seed financing of EUR 2.7 million from private investors, industry experts and family offices. The funds will be used to scale up AATec’s technology, expand the team and prepare for clinical studies expected to start in 2024. The first product candidate, ATL-105, is a novel AAT formulation for inhalation to treat emerging inflammatory diseases of the lung and respiratory virus infections.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a human serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN) essential for tissue protection from damage by proteases. AAT has immunomodulatory functions and provides broad anti-inflammatory and antiviral therapeutic effects through binding to pro-inflammatory cytokines and targeted protease inhibition. Currently, commercially available AAT products are being used for augmentation therapy in AAT deficiency only, a severe genetic disorder. These AAT products are exclusively produced from human plasma, making them a scarce and expensive resource.
AATec has developed high-yield industrial manufacturing of recombinant AAT and has successfully validated the therapeutic concept in several preclinical models for inflammatory lung conditions and respiratory virus infections. The company’s technology is covered by a portfolio of patents and is based on prior research by the co-founders Dr. Manfred Stangl, Head Renal and Pancreas Transplantation at the University Hospital of Munich and Chief Scientific Officer of AATec, and Dr. Michael Strassmair, Head of Department of Hand Surgery at the Manus Sana hospital in Starnberg/Munich and Chief Medical Officer of AATec. The comprehensive set of available data allows for an early start of clinical development; the company is working towards commencing the first clinical study in the first half of 2024.
The initial focus of AATec will be the development of new therapies for inflammatory conditions of the airways of emerging medical need, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory virus infections and allergic asthma. The long-term R&D strategy includes further conditions such as transplant, AAT deficiency and systemic inflammatory diseases.
Dr. Rüdiger Jankowsky, co-founder of AATec and CEO, said: “I am excited about the enormous therapeutic potential of alpha‑1 antitrypsin which has been validated in our preclinical research. In combination with innovative inhalation technology we will make a decisive difference in the future treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases. Our lean development approach, managed by our expert team and supported by renowned academic experts and industry partners, allows for efficient deployment with clinical studies expected to start in 2024.”
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