Glythera Unveils ADC Cysteine Linker Technology

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwired - October 24, 2014) -

Glythera unveils Permalink™, its proprietary ADC cysteine linker technology

- A next generation linker displaying very high stability with improved selectivity and specificity -
- Efficacy outperformed that of maleimide-based linker in a mouse xenograft model -
- Presentation to be made at ADC Summit, San Diego 26-29 October 2014 -

Glythera Limited, the next generation ADC company, today announces that it will present positive data for their next-generation linker conjugation platform, PermaLink™, in a public forum for the first time. The data, which shows enhanced tumour cell kill activity for an antibody-drug conjugate (‘ADC’) containing PermaLink™ conjugation vs the equivalent maleimide-containing ADC, will be presented at the World ADC Summit held in San Diego from 26 to 29 October 2014.

The presentation, entitled ‘A Cysteine Specific, Highly Stable Linker Technology Gives Improved Efficacy in an ADC Model’, shows that PermaLink™ is a highly cysteine-specific conjugation platform that generated exceptionally stable ADCs with enhanced therapeutic profiles. Efficacy was demonstrated in both in vitro and in vivo for trastuzumab/MMAE (monomethyl auristatin E) based ADCs using accepted cancer cell line models and, for the first time, demonstrates that the direct substitution of maleimide for an alternative conjugation technology has resulted in enhanced anti-cancer activity in a xenograft model.

Glythera specialises in the development of next generation biotherapeutics through the application of its advanced proprietary linker and stable glycan technologies. These technologies are particularly applicable to the development of enhanced ADCs and bi-specific antibodies.

Glythera’s presentation at the World ADC summit follows the grant of a US Patent to the Company in July 2014 that protects the PermaLink™ platform and adds to Glythera’s growing IP portfolio around this technology.

Dr Dave Simpson, CEO of Glythera, said: “Glythera is confident of becoming a major player in the field of antibody-drug conjugates, an emerging class of biotherapeutics with market expectations for blockbuster potential. We believe that our Permalink technology has the ideal attributes to become an important lynchpin in this growing field.

“The data we have generated to date with Permalink suggests that this versatile second generation linker technology platform yields antibody-drug conjugates with enhanced efficacy versus similar molecules incorporating first generation maleimide linkers in a highly stable construct. This is in addition to improvements in selectivity and specificity that have been achieved with our technology. We look forward to expanding our own pipeline, as well as potentially collaborating with partners, based on this unique asset.”

The title and timing of the poster presentations are as follows:

Title: A Cysteine Specific, Highly Stable Linker Technology gives Improved Efficacy in an ADC Model Authors: Jenny Thirlway, Justyna Mysliwy, David J Mansell, Matthew Smith, Chris Birchall and David J Simpson Date: 27 October 2014 Time: 6.00pm Pacific Time 

The poster will be available for download from the company’s website www.glythera.com, shortly following the presentation.

For enquiries, please contact:

Glythera Limited Tel: +44 (0) 191 6031681 Dr Dave Simpson, CEO FTI Consulting Tel: +44 (0) 020 3727 1000 Simon Conway / Mo Noonan / Rob Winder 

Notes to Editors

Glythera Limited
Glythera specialises in the development of next generation biotherapeutics, through the application of its advanced proprietary linker and stable glycan technologies: PermaLink™ and PermaCarb™. Our linker technology platforms have the potential to enhance and strengthen pharmaceutical drug candidates.

Biotherapeutics are an integral part of modern medicine, particularly in the oncology space, due to their efficacious properties and ability to target specific molecules within the human body. The Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) field is a key area within the protein and antibody engineering industry. ADCs are complex molecules composed of an antibody linked to a biological active cytotoxic (anti-cancer) drug. A stable link between the antibody and cytotoxic agent is a crucial aspect of an ADC. Glythera’s highly specific, stable linker technology addresses many of the instability issues faced by current conjugation methods. Our technology platforms enable efficient and cost effective development and manufacture of new efficacious biologics that improve half-life and optimize bio-availability and which are highly specific, stable, robust and safe.

Glythera’s PermaLink™ technology is a controlled, stable conjugation platform composed of a portfolio of linker designs. PermaLink™ can be employed for the selective and stable functionalization and conjugation of various cargos to proteins and peptides.

PermaCarb™ is a highly stable sialic acid derivative which can be conjugated to a glycan of choice via an enzyme mediated reaction during downstream processing in a scalable and compliant fashion. Our stable glycan technology PermaCarb™ is designed to facilitate the creation of biotherapeutics which can be administered at lower doses and/or reduced frequency.

About World ADC
With 65+ speakers and over 550 of the global network of ADC developers, World ADC San Diego has been designed to dramatically enhance ADC research and development efforts. The programme provides access to expert intelligence on how to select a lead candidate with confidence, improve preclinical predictability and maximize clinical efficacy. Details on timings can be accessed through the ADC website: http://adc-summit.com/