Momenta Pharmaceuticals Announces Publication on the Design of M230, a Novel Autoimmune Disease Drug Candidate, in Science Tr...
November 17 2016 - 8:00AM
Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:MNTA), a biotechnology
company specializing in the characterization and engineering of
complex drugs, today announced that data from preclinical studies
on its M230 program were published in Science Translational
Medicine. The article describes fundamental insights into the
mechanism of Fcγ receptor (FcγR) modulation that facilitated the
design of multivalent Fc therapeutics, including M230, a selective
immunomodulator of Fc receptors (SIFs).
Autoantibody immune complex (IC) recruitment and
activation of FcγRs on immune cells is a pathological mechanism
inherent to numerous autoimmune diseases. The inhibition of this
mechanism is therefore a desirable target for therapeutic
intervention, but the successful development of drug candidates has
been limited by an incomplete understanding of FcγR biology and
structural determinants controlling Fc-FcγR interactions. To this
end, Momenta engineered a panel of multivalent proteins featuring
different numbers of Fc domains and configurations, and performed a
series of structure-activity relationship studies to characterize
their FcγR binding avidity and extent of immune cell activation
potential. These studies identified a trivalent Fc protein (M230)
as the optimal structure combining high avidity binding without
immune cell activation. M230 subsequently proved to potently
inhibit multiple mechanisms of IC-driven cellular activation and
displayed up to 40 times greater in-vivo potency than intravenous
immunoglobulin (IVIg) in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis,
immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and epidermolysis bullosa
acquisita.
“Other companies have attempted to target the
inhibition of the FcγR system with heterogeneous Fc polymers but,
through our work and expertise in understanding structure-function
relationships, we have identified what we believe to be optimal
properties of multivalent Fc products for blocking IC-mediated
damage,” said Anthony Manning, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of
Research at Momenta and co-author on the paper. “We believe these
insights can also be applied to the design of other novel
therapeutics that utilize FcγR interactions as part of their
mechanism of action. We look forward to bringing M230 into the
clinic and are targeting the initiation of a first-in-human study
next year.”
The article is titled "Elucidating the interplay
between IgG-Fc valency and FcγR activation for the design of immune
complex inhibitors" and is available at
http://stm.sciencemag.org/lookup/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.aaf9418.
About M230, Selective Immunomodulator of
Fc Receptors (SIF3)Antigen-autoantibody immune complexes
(ICs) are a common pathogenic hallmark of many autoimmune diseases.
The multiple Fc domains of ICs aggregate Fcγ receptors (FcγRs),
triggering cellular activation processes that play critical roles
in inflammation. The rational engineering of therapeutics that
broadly antagonize FcγRs has been hampered by a limited
understanding of the molecular determinants directing FcγR
activation. Through the engineering and characterization of
oligomeric Fc structures, Momenta was able to provide novel
insights on FcγR modulation and has generated a unique recombinant
Fc oligomer therapeutic candidate, referred to as M230, with
optimal physiochemical and biological properties. Preclinical
studies with M230 have shown enhanced potency over intravenous
immunoglobulin in animal models of autoimmune disease. M230 is
currently in preclinical development and has the potential to be
developed as a first-in-class therapeutic for patients with
IC-driven disease.
About MomentaMomenta
Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company specializing in the
detailed structural and functional analysis of complex drugs and is
headquartered in Cambridge, MA. Momenta is applying its
technology to the development of generic versions of complex drugs,
biosimilar and potentially interchangeable biologics, and to the
discovery and development of novel therapeutics for autoimmune
indications.
To receive additional information about Momenta,
please visit the website at www.momentapharma.com, which does not
form a part of this press release. The company’s logo, trademarks,
and service marks are the property of Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
All other trade names, trademarks, or service marks are property of
their respective owners.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking StatementsStatements in this press release
regarding management's expectations, beliefs, intentions, goals,
strategies, plans or prospects, including statements about the
significance and application of research findings, future clinical
studies and clinical study results for M230 are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can sometimes be
identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue,"
"could," "hope," "target," "project," "goal," "objective," "plan,"
"potential," "predict," "might," "estimate," "expect," "intend,"
"may," "seek", "should," "target," "will," "would," "look forward"
and other similar words or expressions, or the negative of these
words or similar words or expressions. Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements
to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements. Important factors include Momenta's ability to fund and
successfully conduct clinical trials of its M230 product candidate,
either independently or in collaboration with a collaborative
partner; the possibility of unfavorable or disappointing clinical
trial results, including whether the properties of our
multivalent Fc products for blocking IC-mediated damage are
optimized for potential use in humans; Momenta's ability to
successfully partner the M230 program; and the factors listed under
"Risk Factors" in Momenta's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2016 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, as well as other documents that may be filed
by Momenta from time to time with the SEC. Momenta
is providing the information in this press release as of the date
hereof and assumes no obligations to update the information
included in this press release or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise.
Investor Relations:
Sarah Carmody
Momenta Pharmaceuticals
1-617-395-5189
IR@momentapharma.com
Media Relations:
Karen Sharma
MacDougall Biomedical Communications
1-781-235-3060
Momenta@macbiocom.com
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