BioXell and Lay Line Genomics announce License Agreement for Anti-TrkA Antibody against Pain

14-Feb-2006

BioXell S.p.A. and Lay Line Genomics S.p.A. (LLG) announced an exclusive, worldwide license agreement for the development of MNAC13, a novel humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to TrkA receptors, blocking the action of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a key mediator of pain. According to the agreement, BioXell will take MNAC13 through development and potential commercialisation, in exchange for an undisclosed upfront payment, milestones and royalties to LLG. MNAC13 belongs to a new class of pain therapeutics that might represent a promising alternative to opioids such as morphine. Among its potential advantages are an improved safety profile and higher specificity which allow for improved efficacy and enhanced compliance.

NGF and its high affinity receptor TrkA represent two extremely interesting candidates as target molecules for a newly conceived treatment against chronic pain. The NGF/TrkA system appears to be a sort of master control system in the spread of inflammation and pain, since it is functionally placed upstream of several molecular pathways involved in the inflammatory process. As a target, the inhibition of NGF/TrkA can be applicable to the treatment of various forms of chronic pain (i.e. inflammatory, neuropathic, cancer pain) as well as other pathological conditions associated with inflammation and persistent pain (i.e. CPPS in interstitial cystitis and chronic non-bacterial prostatitis).

MNAC13 is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to TrkA receptors, blocking the action of NGF, a key mediator in acute and chronic pain. In particular, scientists at LLG have recently shown the significant and long-lasting analgesic effects of MNAC13 in several animal models of persistent pain. The availability of a fully humanized version of MNAC13 is particularly helpful in the perspective of its future clinical use, since humanization dramatically reduces the risk of adverse immune response in patients.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/52275/bioxell-and-lay-line-genomics-announce-license-agreement-for-anti-trka-antibody-against-pain.html