TetraGenetics Partners With LifeArc to Humanize New Drugs and Perform IND-Enabling Studies

BOSTON & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tetragenetics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for autoimmune diseases and pain, today announced a partnership with LifeArc^®, the UK-based medical research charity. The collaboration brings together the drug discovery skills of TetraGenetics with the antibody humanization and development capabilities of LifeArc. Under the agreement LifeArc will humanize up to five new drug leads discovered by TetraGenetics and may support pre-IND (Investigational New Drug) studies for selected programs. TetraGenetics will manage the regulatory applications and the subsequent clinical trials for successful candidates.

The first collaborative program will focus on anti-Kv1.3 antibodies, targeting Type 1 Diabetes. TetraGenetics has discovered several functional antibodies to this well-validated target and is using funds provided by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to characterize them. The lead humanized antibody will be developed as a therapeutic intended to offer a cure or the ability to halt disease progression . The parties expect to complete humanization by mid-2018 and plan to file an IND with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the end of 2019.

LifeArc’s labs in the U.K. have a reputation for helping scientists and organizations turn their research into treatments and diagnostics for patients. LifeArc have humanized over 60 antibodies, many of which have led to drugs that are on the market today, including the oncology drug, Keytruda^®, marketed by Merck.

“The partnership with LifeArc will enable us to advance our programs and bring new drug discoveries to the clinic for first-in-human trials,“ noted Doug Kahn, the Chairman and CEO of TetraGenetics. “We’re eager to get started and thrilled with our new partnership.”

John Kelly, Head of Business Development, Therapeutics and Diagnostics at LifeArc said, “As a charity we focus on the advancement of novel therapeutics and diagnostics to make an impact for patients. Through partnering with TetraGenetics, we hope to accelerate the development of a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.”

About TetraGenetics: TetraGenetics is an early stage drug discovery company. It uses proprietary technology (TetraExpress™) to discover large molecule drugs targeting ion channel membrane proteins associated with many human diseases. The company’s drug discovery focus is on first-in-class biologics for autoimmune diseases and pain. For more information, please visit: www.tetragenetics.com.

About LifeArc: LifeArc is the new name for MRC Technology, a medical research charity with a 25 year legacy of helping scientists and organisations turn their research into treatments and diagnostics for patients.

The new name reflects the charity’s purpose: to be the arc or bridge between research and improving patients’ lives.

LifeArc is pioneering new ways to turn great science into greater patient impact. It brings together a network of partners to tackle specific diseases and directly funds academic and early stage research.

So far, LifeArc’s work has helped to develop four drugs (Keytruda^®, Actemra^®, Tysabri^® and Entyvio^®) and a test for antimicrobial resistance.

www.lifearc.org Twitter @lifearc1

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171212005854/en/