News29.10.2015CCiTUB have worked with the company Artax Biopharma in developing a first-in-class drug for the treatment of autoimmune diseases |
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The molecular interactions analysis technology of the CCiTUB has worked with the biotechnology company Artax Biopharma using the Biacore T100, an analytic instrument based on the "Surface Plasmon Resonance" (SPR) that allows to obtain, among other parameters, rates of association and dissociation of a complex at real time without labelling. Clinical trials in Ib phase show, according to Artax Biopharma, that the AX-024 is the first oral drug capable of modulating selectively the immune response by inhibiting the activity of T lymphocytes. This drug achieves that T lymphocytes do not respond against self-antigens but preserves its protective function in pathogen infections. This is a significant advance in the treatment of autoimmune diseases as current treatments have three major limitations: the route of administration (mainly intravenous), low specificity and immunosuppressive capacity. That is, they interfere with the patient's immune system, reducing its activity, something which reduces its effectiveness against infections by viruses and bacteria. Artax Biopharma just closed a round of Series B investment for 10 million dollars to promote clinical trials of its most advanced compound, the AX-024 drug. | |