Bioggio, Switzerland, 6th March 2012- Telormedix, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on TLR7 agonists in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, today announced that it has received funding from the Swiss CTI/KTI Programme for collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI). The two-year research project is aimed at studying the molecular mode of action and interaction of Telormedix’s drug candidates with their specific Toll-like Receptor 7 (TLR7) target. The project will have a total budget of CHF 1.37 Million.
The SUPSI team will be directed by Professor Andrea Danani, Head of Research at the Laboratory of Applied Mathematics and Physics in the Department of Innovative Technologies, whereas Telormedix’s contribution will be coordinated by Alcide Barberis, Head of Research and Collaborations. The project will focus on the characterization and optimization of target-specific interactions of TLR7 modulators and their mode of action in immune system cells. Computational modeling performed at SUPSI will provide theoretical information about the structure of the TLR7 receptor and domain-specific interactions with Telormedix’s compounds. Telormedix will then be able to accurately predict the biochemical and biological properties of select drug candidates, which will be further tested and verified in molecular and cellular studies.
Johanna Holldack, CEO of Telormedix, commented: “We are delighted that CTI/KTI have recognized the potential of Telormedix’s TLR7-targeted molecules and look forward to working in collaboration with SUPSI. The knowledge acquired during this research collaboration will accelerate and focus the drug optimization process leading to GLP IND-enabling studies, which will allow us to bring our drug candidates through subsequent clinical phases.”
“We are truly excited to be working with Telormedix, studying target-specific interactions of TLR7 modulators and their mode of action in the immune system. We hope that a computational approach to this research will help Telormedix further develop their promising selection of drug candidates for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.” added Andrea Danani.
About Telormedix
Telormedix (www.telormedix.com), founded in October 2007, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on targeted immunity and modulation of the innate immune system for treating cancer and autoimmune diseases. The Company’s lead product, TMX-101, recently entered a Phase I/II clinical trial for the treatment of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC). In addition, Telormedix is developing two TLR7-targeted molecules, TMX-201 and TMX-202, as a vaccine adjuvant. One of these molecules, TMX-202, has recently been selected for preclinical study for the topical treatment of skin cancers and other indications. The candidate has already successfully completed a number of in vivo studies.
Located in Switzerland, Telormedix is led by a highly experienced management team and backed by an international consortium of venture capitalists including Aravis Venture (Basel, Switzerland) and Proquest Investments (Princeton-San Diego, USA).
Further Information:
Johanna Holldack
CEO
Telormedix SA
t: +41 (0)91 610 7000
e: jholldack@telormedix.com
Robert Mayer
Account Director
College Hill Life Sciences
t : +49 (0)89 5238 8030
e: robert.mayer@collegehill.com
