Oncodesign Precision Medicine and Navigo Proteins GmbH Sign a Strategic Collaboration Agreement for the Research and Development of New Systemic Radiotherapy Agents

Regulatory News:

Oncodesign Precision Medicine (OPM) (ISIN: FR001400CM63; Mnemonic: ALOPM), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in precision medicine for the treatment of resistant and metastatic cancers, and Navigo Proteins GmbH (Halle, Germany), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery and development of Precision Medicine applications based on the Affilin technology platform, announce the signature of a strategic collaboration agreement for the discovery and development of new systemic radiotheranostic agents.

OPM operates three technological platforms dedicated to precision medicine. OncoSNIPER is a technology using AI to select and validate new therapeutic targets involved in resistant and metastatic cancers, in particular kinases and targets expressed specifically on the tumor cell surface. The aim is to discover and develop new kinase inhibitors based on the Nanocyclix technology platform and new radioligand therapy agents from its 3^rd technology platform, Promethe.

The construction of radiotheranostics is based on the identification of a specific target on the cancer cells' surface (surface antigen), and on small molecule, peptide, antibody or small protein (like Affilin) targeting molecules that are highly specific for the identified target, enabling radioactivity (emitters a, β+- or γ) to be delivered to the tumor cell and thus triggering its detection and destruction. This therapeutic approach has already been clinically proven in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer (Pluvicto; Novartis) and inoperable or metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (Lutathera; Novartis).

OPM has chosen Affilins, a proprietary technology from Navigo Proteins GmbH, as biological targeting molecules to support its Promethe platform.

Affilins are small proteins derived from human ubiquitin, a protein naturally present in all cells. A huge number of ubiquitin variants are available in large libraries where each variant is modified in a slightly different way on its surface and has lost its natural biological functions but potentially binds to a given target structure. Phage display selection and screening is applied to identify Affilins that bind selectively and with high affinity to the targeted surface antigen, like antibodies. The molecular weight of Affilins is 1/15th of an antibody improving the pharmacokinetics, particularly the distribution and route of elimination which is predominantly through the kidney. Unlike antibodies, Affilins are resistant to proteases, acids and bases and are highly thermostable facilitating their radiolabeling. Because they are human derived, Affilins have a low immunogenicity risk (unwanted immune reaction after injection). The molecules have no post-translational modification like antibodies which allows their production in simple bacterial systems. Affilins are highly engineerable and can be combined with other functional elements, enabling a modular design of molecules, adapted to clinical needs. For all these reasons, Affilin molecules are ideal for use as radiotheranostic targeting molecules.