SuppreMol and Protagen to Identify SLE Therapy-Related Biomarkers

SuppreMol GmbH (Munich, Germany), a privately held biopharmaceutic company, and Protagen AG (Dortmund, Germany) a specialist in in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) and good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant protein analysis, will collaborate to identify therapy-related biomarkers in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Using Protagen's UNIarray approach, specific interactions of autoantibodies from patients with autoantigens can be detected rapidly and efficiently. This enables a broad, highly specific search for novel blood based biomarkers. The basis of this technology is founded in the production of recombinant human proteins derived from tissue specific human expression libraries and spotted onto filter membranes.

The Protagen biomarker portfolio will be used by SuppreMol to identify autoantibodies in the serum of SLE patients. Patients will be identified who are most likely to benefit from SuppreMol's product SM101, a recombinant, soluble, nonglycosylated version of the Fc receptor IIb.

The protein SM101 binds to autoantibody/autoantigen complexes and blocks the triggering of Fc receptors on the surface of immune cells. The immune response is downregulated and activation of the inflammation cascade typically seen in autoimmune diseases is prevented.

Peter Buckel, CEO of SuppreMol explained, "Our findings may [also] allow the classification of patients into subgroups as SLE is a disease with very diverse manifestations. The UNIarray technology platform of Protagen offers a unique opportunity to explore the potential for a personalized SLE therapy concomitant to the clinical development of SM101."

SuppreMol develops therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and allergies. The company is developing soluble Fc gamma receptors (sFcRs), which are recombinant autologous therapeutic proteins with a strong immunosuppressive potential. The company plans to develop sFcRs for the treatment of Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and other autoimmune conditions.

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SuppreMol GmbH
Protagen AG