Product name
Macrophage activating lipopeptide MALP-2 - a multitalent for the treatment of cancer, infections, wound healing and autoimmune diseasesSummary
Clinical stage MALP-2 is available by simple chemical synthesis and active via stimulation of toll-like receptor 2Organization name
Ascenion GmbHProfile
Macrophages play an essential role in many complex mechanisms. They are responsible for the production and secretion of various mediators like signal peptides, growth factors and cytokines. The stimulation of macrophages is the most effective way of producing the necessary mediators in order to produce positive effects not only in cancer, infection and wound healing, but also in various autoimmune diseases.
Technology
MALP-2 is a toll-like receptor 2/6 agonist and activates macrophages and other cells of the innate immune system. MALP-2, in particular, as a prototype of this kind of agonists may be a promising candidate to be developed as a drug for several pharmaceutical applications:
Cancer and Infection
The mechanism of action of the inventive lipopeptide is the stimulation via toll-like receptor 2. The induced release of mediators promotes protection against infections, primary tumors and tumor metastases by stimulation of natural signal cascades. A preliminary clinical trial phaseI/II in the field of pancreatic carcinoma using MALP-2 in combination with Gemcitabin was finished in 2007 and showed very promising results.
Wound healing
The lipopeptide induces the migration of leucocytes into the area of infection and stimulates macrophages and monocytes to liberate cytokines and prostaglandins and to induce a high titer of chemokines in vivo. The induced release of mediators promotes easier and faster wound healing by stimulation of natural signal cascades. A first preliminary clinical trial phase I was finished in 2007.
Modulation of dendritic cells
In presence of a combination of MALP-2 with interferon γ, co-cultivated lymphocytes are stimulated to induce a Th1-type immune response, which is of prime importance in a variety of therapeutic fields. Immunotherapy via pre-treated dendritic cells is more and more considered to be a promising strategy especially for the treatment of cancer, infections, allergies and autoimmune diseases.
Patent Situation
Broad portfolio of granted and pending patents in Europe, USA, Australia, Canada, India and Hongkong covering the natural compound, synthetic analogues and applications in different indications.
Commercial Opportunity
The inventive macrophage activating Lipopeptide can be used for the development of a treatment in several therapeutic fields. Advantages are:
- easy and reproducible isolation of natural macrophage activating lipopeptide
- synthetic macrophage activating lipopeptide available by simple chemical synthesis
- no disadvantageous side effects in animal model seen so far
- good tolerance in human shown in phase I clinical trials
A cooperation agreement with option to license or a license agreement are possible deals.
Developmental Status
In vivo data are available for all applications. A first preliminary clinical trial phase I/II in the field of pancreatic carcinoma and a preliminary clinical trial phase I in wound healing were finished in 2007.
Contact
Ascenion
Dr. Sabina Heim
heim(at)ascenion.de
About Ascenion
Ascenion is the exclusive partner of 12 life-science institutes in the Helmholtz and Leibniz Associations and of one Medical School, and coordinates technology transfer for the German National Genome Research Network. They currently market around 600 technologies, together with a varied range of research materials, e.g. antibodies, animal models and vectors.
Description File
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