AppTec and Chromos expand relationship
Chromos Molecular Systems's new multiple sclerosis (MS) drug for
pre-clinical safety and toxicology studies.
Chromos has used its proprietary ACE System to rapidly engineer cell lines for the new monoclonal antibody drug, CHR-1103, and will now hand over the reigns to AppTec who will scale up the manufacturing process to meet clinical demand.
The two companies are no strangers, and already work together providing the biopharma industry with a broad range of cell line engineering and contract manufacturing services, combining Chromos' expertise with cell line engineering with its ACE System and AppTec's expertise in scale-up, manufacturing and testing of mammalian-cell-culture-based pharmaceuticals.
Chromos, however, has recently taken the step towards becoming a product development company, with the acquisition of Targeted Molecules Corporation in January 2006.
The acquisition brought two monoclonal antibody drug candidates, one of which is CHR-1103, and allowed Chromos to establish a product development program, which has in turn provided new business opportunities for its partner, AppTec.
CHR-1103 is being studied for the treatment of acute relapse in MS, also known as MS flares.
It's unique mechanism of action has the potential to reduce the severity of a relapse and stem the residual neurological damage that often accompanies progression of the disease, positioning CHR-1103 to fill an unmet medical need in this area.
The Company expects to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for CHR-1103 and to start a Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of MS flares in patients with relapsing-remitting MS in early 2007.
Chromos's second product candidate, CHR-1201, is being developed to treat acute thrombosis and offers the possibility of effective treatment of thrombosis involving the brain without the risk of bleeding.
The Company plans to file an IND for CHR-1201 in the second half of 2007.
