Research consortium includes Biopta, Midatech Biogune, Molecular Profiles, and the USZ
BIOGGIO, Switzerland I August 7, 2013 I Telormedix SA, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) small molecules in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, today announced that it has raised funding from the European Eurostars Programme to coordinate an international research project involving a consortium of companies aimed at developing new formulations of one of the Company’s promising drug candidates, TMX-302, for the treatment of psoriasis. The psoriasis anti-inflammatory treatment project, operating under the acronym PAT, will have a total budget of €1.77 M and will involve consortium partners Biopta, Midatech Biogune, Molecular Profiles and the University Hospital Zurich (USZ).
The PAT project will initially focus on developing new oral and topical formulations of TMX-302 using Midatech’s nanoparticles formulated using Molecular Profile’s technology. Both routes of administration are viewed as practicable for the treatment of psoriasis. Once a range of formulations has been developed, Biopta will screen them by using human fresh tissue in vitro assays to select the best candidates. These candidates will then be studied and compared to currently used therapies in well-established humanized animal models of psoriasis at the Department of Dermatology of the USZ.
Dr. Johanna Holldack, CEO at Telormedix, commented:
“We are absolutely delighted to have secured this funding with such a world class consortium to bring TMX-302 to preclinical proof of concept. We believe that modulators of TLR-7 have a significant chance of being important new treatments for inflammatory diseases like psoriasis.”
The Eurostars Programme is the European funding and support programme specifically dedicated to stimulating international collaborative research and innovation projects of small and medium enterprises. For further information on the Eurostars Programme, please visit: www.eurostars-eureka.eu
About Telormedix
Telormedix (www.telormedix.com), founded in October 2007, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on targeted immunity and modulation of the innate immune system for treating cancer and autoimmune diseases. The Company’s lead product, TMX-101, is currently in a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of CIS (carcinoma in situ) in the bladder. In addition, Telormedix is developing novel TLR7-targeted agonists. One of these molecules, TMX-202, has recently been selected for preclinical study for the topical treatment of skin cancers and other indications. Telormedix also has a pipeline of programs for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, which includes TMX-302, a TLR7-binding small molecule showing anti-inflammatory properties in vivo.
Located in Switzerland, Telormedix is led by a highly experienced management team and backed by an international consortium of venture capitalists including Aravis Venture (Basel, Switzerland) and Proquest Investments (Princeton-San Diego, USA).
Notes for editors:
About TMX-302
TMX-302 belongs to a novel class of small molecules developed by Telormedix acting as toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) weak agonists to potently dampen the inflammatory response without inducing immunosuppression, thus potentially fulfilling the above requirements. In in vivo studies, these compounds have been shown to be well tolerated upon systemic administration and to exert a potent anti-inflammatory activity without inducing a state of immunosuppression. These TLR7 weak agonists hold the promise of generating improved anti-inflammatory responses in the treatment of psoriasis.
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that affects the skin. Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that cause overproduction of new skin cells. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white hues of scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis (skin). Psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of stroke, and treating high blood lipid levels may lead to improvement. The disorder is a chronic recurring condition that varies in severity from minor localized patches to complete body coverage. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy) and can be seen as an isolated sign. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Between 10% and 30% of all people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.
SOURCE: Telormedix
Post Views: 152
Research consortium includes Biopta, Midatech Biogune, Molecular Profiles, and the USZ
BIOGGIO, Switzerland I August 7, 2013 I Telormedix SA, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) small molecules in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, today announced that it has raised funding from the European Eurostars Programme to coordinate an international research project involving a consortium of companies aimed at developing new formulations of one of the Company’s promising drug candidates, TMX-302, for the treatment of psoriasis. The psoriasis anti-inflammatory treatment project, operating under the acronym PAT, will have a total budget of €1.77 M and will involve consortium partners Biopta, Midatech Biogune, Molecular Profiles and the University Hospital Zurich (USZ).
The PAT project will initially focus on developing new oral and topical formulations of TMX-302 using Midatech’s nanoparticles formulated using Molecular Profile’s technology. Both routes of administration are viewed as practicable for the treatment of psoriasis. Once a range of formulations has been developed, Biopta will screen them by using human fresh tissue in vitro assays to select the best candidates. These candidates will then be studied and compared to currently used therapies in well-established humanized animal models of psoriasis at the Department of Dermatology of the USZ.
Dr. Johanna Holldack, CEO at Telormedix, commented:
“We are absolutely delighted to have secured this funding with such a world class consortium to bring TMX-302 to preclinical proof of concept. We believe that modulators of TLR-7 have a significant chance of being important new treatments for inflammatory diseases like psoriasis.”
The Eurostars Programme is the European funding and support programme specifically dedicated to stimulating international collaborative research and innovation projects of small and medium enterprises. For further information on the Eurostars Programme, please visit: www.eurostars-eureka.eu
About Telormedix
Telormedix (www.telormedix.com), founded in October 2007, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on targeted immunity and modulation of the innate immune system for treating cancer and autoimmune diseases. The Company’s lead product, TMX-101, is currently in a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of CIS (carcinoma in situ) in the bladder. In addition, Telormedix is developing novel TLR7-targeted agonists. One of these molecules, TMX-202, has recently been selected for preclinical study for the topical treatment of skin cancers and other indications. Telormedix also has a pipeline of programs for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, which includes TMX-302, a TLR7-binding small molecule showing anti-inflammatory properties in vivo.
Located in Switzerland, Telormedix is led by a highly experienced management team and backed by an international consortium of venture capitalists including Aravis Venture (Basel, Switzerland) and Proquest Investments (Princeton-San Diego, USA).
Notes for editors:
About TMX-302
TMX-302 belongs to a novel class of small molecules developed by Telormedix acting as toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) weak agonists to potently dampen the inflammatory response without inducing immunosuppression, thus potentially fulfilling the above requirements. In in vivo studies, these compounds have been shown to be well tolerated upon systemic administration and to exert a potent anti-inflammatory activity without inducing a state of immunosuppression. These TLR7 weak agonists hold the promise of generating improved anti-inflammatory responses in the treatment of psoriasis.
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that affects the skin. Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that cause overproduction of new skin cells. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white hues of scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis (skin). Psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of stroke, and treating high blood lipid levels may lead to improvement. The disorder is a chronic recurring condition that varies in severity from minor localized patches to complete body coverage. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy) and can be seen as an isolated sign. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Between 10% and 30% of all people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.
SOURCE: Telormedix
Post Views: 152
