In the framework of a research collaboration initiated in 2012, Affilogic applied its alternative scaffold technology, the Nanofitins®, for a joint discovery and development of Nanofitins® against an undisclosed target nominated by Sanofi. Affilogic selected Nanofitin® candidates from their proprietary libraries for subsequent conjugation to Sanofi proprietary molecules.
Under the Research Collaboration and licensing agreement, Affilogic and Sanofi will combine research efforts to establish optimized Nanofitin®-conjugated biotherapeutics and carry out further preclinical development of conjugates. Sanofi has obtained exclusivity on 2 different Nanofitin® families and will have sole responsibility for all clinical development and commercial activities of such Nanofitin®-conjugated biotherapeutics.
Under the terms of the agreement, Affilogic will grant worldwide exclusive rights to all the development projects and is entitled to receive research funding, future milestones payments and royalties for each conjugate. Details on the Nanofitin® target or indications are not disclosed by the partners.
“We’re very proud to announce this collaboration with Sanofi. This is an important step forward to demonstrate the potency of our Nanofitin® platform with a leading pharmaceutical company.” said Olivier KITTEN, Chief Executive Officer of Affilogic. “With Sanofi, Affilogic has found an ideal partner to raise value to our technology and generate Nanofitin®-conjugate drugs.”
Nanofitins® are small affinity proteins that can be easily conjugated to other moieties (small molecule, biologics, nanoparticles) by genetic fusion or standard chemistry (regio-selective conjugation). This enables to consider a Nanofitin® not only as a neutralizing agent but also as a vector to increase target-specificity or an agent to empower third parties’ molecules.
About Affilogic
Affilogic is a privately-owned biotech company specialized in discovery and development of a novel class of targeting ligands called Nanofitins®. They are potent antibody-mimetics, exhibiting high affinity and specificity for capture, targeting and interaction with biomolecules.
Nanofitins® demonstrate many small molecule-like attributes such as a very small size (7 kDa, around 20 times smaller than a monoclonal antibody), an extreme robustness and a better tissue penetration. Deriving from a naturally hyperstable scaffold, Nanofitins® are resistant to temperature and pH, stable to proteases, spontaneously refolding… Nanofitins® are produced by simple, scalable, GMP- compliant bacterial fermentation at very attractive costs or by chemical synthesis. Affilogic has designed Nanofitins® against 50+ targets to date, including a wide range of circulating antigens (peptides, proteins), membrane receptors for inhibition / modulation / translocation, and complex entities (Virus-like Particles, bacteria, whole cells).
Nanofitin®-based drugs are currently being developed in collaboration with Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Bind Therapeutics and other undisclosed pharmaceutical companies. Several early-stage programs are currently exploring - (i) non-injectable administration of Nanofitins®,
- (ii) Nanofitin®-Drug Conjugates.
- (iii) multifunctional Nanofitins®
Affilogic designs and develops Nanofitins® through early-stage collaborations.
For more information, please visit www.affilogic.com
