Pharma major, Eli Lilly and Evotec’s immunology spin-out Topas Therapeutics, have inked a multi-year R&D collaboration in the field of antigen-specific tolerance induction with an initial focus on external antigens thought to induce inflammation and/or autoimmune disease.
Financed by Eli Lilly and using the company’s nanoparticle platform, Topas will begin by working on identification of inflammatory or autoimmunity-inducing antigens that trigger immune tolerance through activation of regulatory T cells responses in liver stem cells.
Under the terms of the agreement, Topas will be responsible for conducting pre-clinical proof-of-principle studies in collaboration with Lilly to generate drug candidates. According to the contract, Lilly may licence and advance development of all candidates originating from the collaboration. Topas will receive R&D funding and participate in the future success of any compounds in-licensed by Lilly. Financial details of the collaboration have not been disclosed.
Topas’ technology platform induces antigen-specific immune tolerance by harnessing the liver’s natural immunology capabilities; peptide-loaded nanoparticles are selectively targeted towards liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). LSECs are one of the body’s premier sites to induce tolerance against bloodborne antigens by generating peptide-specific regulatory T cells.
Timm Jessen, CEO of Topas Therapeutics, said: “We are excited to be working with Lilly
to generate drug candidates using our proprietary technology. We expect this work to support the value of our approach in inducing tolerance also against external antigens. Additionally, the interest from such an important pharmaceutical company in our technology, we believe, supports the strong commercial potential of our work.”