Cellmid Signs Antibody Humanisation Collaboration

Cellmid Ltd has signed a collaboration agreement with Antitope Ltd for the humanisation of its lead therapeutic monoclonal antibody candidate. The collaboration is expected to deliver a drug candidate, a first in class humanised antimidkine antibody, using Cellmid’s patented sequence and Antitope’s proprietary EpiScreen™ and Composite Human Antibody™ technologies.

As part of the agreement Antitope will also produce sufficient humanised antibody for preclinical testing using their proprietary high yielding CHO expression system. Cellmid’s lead will be humanised by Antitope using their proprietary Composite Human Antibody™ technology. Composite Human Antibody™ technology is a proven platform for rapid generation of non-immunogenic, fully humanised candidates, with similar or better binding affinities than the template
antibody. Additionally, Antitope’s Composite Human AntibodyTM technology is clear of all the dominant patents in the humanisation space, thus avoiding the need for Cellmid to pay royalties to third parties.

“We have conducted an extensive global search to find the right humanisation partner for our anti-midkine assets. Antitope’s technical pedigree placed them on the top of our preferred humanisation experts,” said Cellmid CEO Maria Halasz.

“We are delighted to be working with Cellmid to assist with their drug discovery programs” said Dr Matthew Baker, Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of Antitope, adding; "We are excited about the prospects for Cellmid’s therapeutic antibody against midkine and believe the development of fully humanised, non-immunogenic Composite Human Antibodies will support the development of safe and effective therapies.”