Using the UKRI grant, Alchemab carried out pre-clinical studies to progress a panel of antibodies to help identify lead candidates for first-in-human studies over a period of 18 months.
Two questions were at the heart of the collaboration:
Medicines Discovery Catapult’s scientists drew on their experience in the expression of iPSC-derived central nervous system cells, which are integral to studying brain disease.
To accelerate clinical development, this project combined:
Innovative phenotypic drug discovery using cutting-edge data-rich methods with the latest translational human cell models for neurodegenerative disease.
Medicines Discovery Catapult delivered state-of-the-art imaging of antibody distribution in a tissue model of Huntington’s disease, along with an innovative biomarker discovery package
The results were promising.
Alchemab’s revolutionary platform enabled them to identify a panel of naturally-protective antibodies with the therapeutic potential to modify disease in HD patients.
Patients who demonstrated slower progression than expected were identified based on their genetic predisposition. Notably, the common antibodies among these ‘resilient’ individuals were absent in patients with normal disease progression or healthy controls.
This discovery will enable Alchemab to develop a new, disease-modifying therapy for HD patients who do not have a naturally-protective antibody response. Such a therapy could be transformative in slowing or even halting the progression of this disease.
Chief Scientist,
Medicines Discovery Catapult
“Medicines Discovery Catapult exists to help companies like Alchemab develop innovative medicines that have the potential to change patient outcomes. By combining MDC’s expertise in pre-clinical imaging and biomarkers with Alchemab’s innovative antibody discovery platform, we hope to uncover much-needed treatment options for people living with Huntington’s disease.”
This has enabled Alchemab to extend its collaboration with Medicines Discovery Catapult to carry out pre-clinical studies and progress its panel of antibodies towards first-in-human studies.
The results of this new work will have the potential to impact millions of people who currently have limited therapeutic options.
Chief Executive Officer
Alchemab
“Our aim is to develop antibodies as therapies to transform the treatment of Huntington’s disease by slowing or stopping the course of neurodegeneration. The funding from Innovate UK will enable us to accelerate the development of our antibody and deliver some hope for patients.”
Alchemab’s unique approach to developing new therapeutics is founded on natural resilience to disease, rather than the disease itself.
Combined with Medicines Discovery Catapult’s expertise in bioanalysis of patient-relevant complex iPSC-derived CNS cell models, this may identify cellular binding of novel lead antibodies.
A discovery of this magnitude could greatly improve our understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment opportunities for Huntington’s disease.
It may also have the potential to extend and improve the lives of those living with this rare degenerative condition.
Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer
Alchemab
“Alchemab’s platform flips drug discovery on its head: we start with patient response and let it guide us to the most important targets and therapeutics. I’m excited that our novel approach has led us to this potential first-in-class antibody and target. We hope that this important programme is one of many, opening up a new front in our ability to combat hard-to-treat diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancers.”
