ROCKVILLE, MD, USA I April 11, 2013 I Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS) announced today that it has presented data on ES210, one of its bispecific ADAPTIRTM (Modular Protein Technology) molecules, that is targeting autoimmune disease at Keystone Symposia’s Advances in the Knowledge and Treatment of Autoimmunity in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.

The ES210 molecule was engineered using Emergent’s ADAPTIR technology platform and contains binding sites specific for CD86 coupled to a monomeric form of IL-10 known to confer immunosuppressive activity.

The poster, entitledA Bispecific ADAPTIR™ Molecule That Targets CD86 and Delivers IL-10 Inhibits Antigen Presenting Cells and Has Potential as a Therapeutic Treatment of Autoimmune Disease,” presented pre-clinical data showing that ES210 displays high levels of in vitro and in vivo potency in blocking T-cell proliferation in human mixed lymphocyte reactions and in a humanized graft-versus-host disease model. Dendritic cells play a central role in the generation and regulation of immunity; therefore, targeting dendritic cell function represents a therapeutic opportunity to suppress immunopathological processes in autoimmune disease.

“Emergent is investigating an ADAPTIR molecule that targets and blocks the co-stimulatory receptor CD86, while delivering the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 to CD86-expressing antigen presenting cells,” said Jane Gross, Ph.D., vice president of applied research at Emergent BioSolutions. “We are pleased to present the study results, which show the ADAPTIR molecule as having potential applications in the treatment of transplant rejection as well as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.”

About the ADAPTIR™ Platform

ADAPTIR bispecific proteins are modular, single chain polypeptides that comprise two separate binding domains (VL and VH), a hinge segment, and an effector domain (huFc). They have a differentiated structure from monoclonal antibodies and can generate a unique signaling response. In addition, ADAPTIR proteins may mediate complement dependent cytotoxicity and Fc dependent cytotoxicity, similar to monoclonal antibodies.

ADAPTIR is the new trademark for Emergent BioSolutions Inc.’s modular protein technologies that were previously identified using the SCORPIONTM (multispecific protein therapeutic) and SMIPTM (monospecific protein therapeutic) trademarks. ADAPTIR and any and all Emergent BioSolutions Inc. brand, product, service and feature names, logos and slogans are trademarks or registered trademarks of Emergent BioSolutions Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States or other countries. All rights reserved.

About Emergent BioSolutions

Emergent BioSolutions is a specialty pharmaceutical company seeking to protect and enhance life by offering specialized products to healthcare providers and governments to address medical needs and emerging health threats. Additional information may be found at www.emergentbiosolutions.com. Follow us on twitter: @emergentbiosolu.

SOURCE: Emergent BioSolutions