Two biomedical research companies — AdAlta (Australia) and XL-protein (German) — are collaborating to create a long-acting form of AdAlta’s AD-114, an antibody-based treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other fibrotic conditions.
According to the agreement, XL-protein will contribute with their PASylation technology, attaching a string of amino acids that prevents a compound from being degraded too rapidly in the body.
AD-114 is what AdAlta refers to as an i-body. This bioengineered type of compound mimics the shape and key stability features of the antigen-binding domain of shark antibodies, turning them into compounds adapted for human use. This gives i-bodies unique features, combining the high specificity of antibodies with the stability seen in small molecules.
Early preclinical studies have indicated that AD-114 has both anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal candidate to treat IPF. Prolonging the time AD-114 stays in the body would allow the use of lower and less frequent dosing.
