As part of its collaboration with the Germany-based ImmunoQure, the ETH spinoff Memo Therapeutics will produce multiple APS-1 autoantibody libraries from which the latter will screen for novel drug candidates. The startup will receive research payments from ImmunoQure as well as milestone and royalty payments.
Memo Therapeutics AG (MTx) is a spin-off company of ETH Zurich. Its proprietary DROPZYLLA platform allows to create an authentic copy of whole antibody repertoires from humans and animals in recombinant form. Human antibody repertoires permit the identification of protective antibodies and their targets by comparison of different patient populations (e.g. responders vs. non-responders). In addition, MTx’s ability to work with whole antibody repertoires increases the probability of success in finding rare antibodies or antibodies against difficult targets.
In a feasibility study, MTx and ImmonoQure, a biotechnology company focused on the development of autoantibodies as therapeutics to treat Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome type 1 (APS-1 or APECED) adapted the DROPZYLLA technology platform for use in human memory B cells resulting in compromised viability, as demonstrated by the successful discovery of a portfolio of anti-cytokine antibodies.
The two companies have now established a long-term collaboration in which Memo Therapeutics will prepare multiple APS-1 autoantibody libraries that ImmunoQure will screen for novel drug candidates. MTx shall receive research payments from ImmunoQure and will receive milestone and royalty payments from ImmunoQure related to the advancement of drug candidates to the market.
(Press release)
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