The signing of an exclusive license agreement for the exploitation of a potential first-in-class candidate strengthens Apmonia Therapeutics' position as a leader in the development of therapies targeting the extracellular matrix in oncology.
Reims, September 13, 2023 – Apmonia Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing novel therapeutic strategies aimed at reprogramming the tumor microenvironment by targeting elements of the extracellular matrix, today announced the signing of a new licensing agreement and the launch of a co-development program with SATT Nord. Apmonia Therapeutics has thus obtained a worldwide and exclusive right to exploit LBC peptides, now also known as AP-04, a program currently in preclinical development with the potential to generate first-in-class candidates for the treatment of various solid tumors, including triple-negative breast cancer.
AP-04 targets pro-cathepsin-D, a protein that is overexpressed in various cancers (breast, ovarian, lung, etc.), inhibiting its interaction with the LRP-1 membrane receptor. Through this unique mechanism of action, AP-04 blocks the effect of the pro-cathepsin-D/LRP-1 interaction on fibroblast proliferation and its deleterious role in a tumor context.
Initiated within a joint research unit between the CNRS and the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (MEDyC), this program is the result of a co-development program lasting more than a year between Apmonia Therapeutics and SATT Nord, at the end of which a patent was filed. Apmonia Therapeutics and SATT Nord now plan to consolidate and expand the preclinical proof of concept for AP-04 before it enters regulatory development, a pivotal step before the transition to clinical development.
"We are delighted with the development of Apmonia Therapeutics, with whom SATT Nord already signed an initial licensing agreement in 2019, and with this long-term relationship of trust, which has resulted in a co-development approach," says Fabrice Lefebvre, CEO of SATT Nord, adding "We are delighted that a new asset resulting from academic research within the scope of SATT Nord can thus be leveraged and lead to its development with Apmonia Therapeutics, an industrial partner of choice for leveraging cutting-edge research on the extracellular matrix."
"This new asset strengthens and diversifies Apmonia Therapeutics' intellectual property portfolio. It creates value within this portfolio," explains Claire Verschelde, partner at ICOSA and intellectual property advisor to the company. "With a technology platform and several proprietary assets, the most advanced of which is on the verge of a first clinical trial, Apmonia Therapeutics has many strengths in terms of intellectual property."
"This new drug candidate is a natural fit with our R&D expertise and our specialization in oncology. Adding to our existing portfolio, it offers an additional opportunity to leverage our expertise in targeting the extracellular matrix to identify and accelerate the development of breakthrough therapies. We look forward to continuing the preclinical development of this new asset and, ultimately, offering this therapy to patients with cancer indications where there is a significant unmet medical need," said Dr. Albin Jeanne, President of Apmonia Therapeutics.