Haptogen New anti-infectives in final pre-clinical phase

23 June 2003. Haptogen Ltd (Aberdeen, Scotland) is currently evaluating a number of new anti-infective compounds in in vivo models and optimising leads for phase I study. This success has resulted from Haptogen’s research programme and utilises their proprietary antibody technology and know-how. The approach is known as Haptomics™. Small hapten molecules, or the haptenic structures of larger molecules, hold the key to many cell-to-cell signalling processes involved in triggering disease or infection and by targeting these directly, Haptogen is set to open up new opportunities in a wide variety of therapeutic and diagnostic areas.

The company has a strong IP position with a number of core patents filed and relevant licences in hand. Corporate alliances are a vital part of Haptogen’s strategy and additional partners for collaboration in anti-infectives and CNS are currently being sought.

Commercial isolation and production of therapeutic antibody products to date has concentrated on protein targets. This has been forced by the significant technical difficulties associated with raising antibodies to smaller molecules. Haptomics™ has been used to raise antibodies to the smallest of molecules, bioactive haptens, with the aim of generating novel and effective therapeutic, diagnostic and separation products. An antibody-engineering approach can reduce development times and increase potential success, compared with classical drug development. In excess of 200 antibody-based drugs are currently in pre-clinical development and around 70 are in the clinic. Thirteen therapeutic antibody products have already reached the market.

www.haptogen.com 

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Haptogen contact: Dr Andy Porter

T: +44 (0)1224 555870 (Direct line)

Email: info@haptogen.com