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Freitag, der 30. August 2024
LDC – erfolgreich unter dem Radar
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LDC – erfolgreich unter dem Radar

Das einst von der Max-Planck-Innovation gegründete Lead Discovery Center (LDC) agiert als Wirkstoff zentrum wie ein wichtiger Brückenbauer zwischen Akademie und Industrie. | transkript sprach mit Langzeit-CEO Bert Klebl über die Wirkstoff – forschung in Zeiten von Künstlicher Intelligenz und wenig Geld.

Dienstag, der 14. Mai 2024
Icosagen and Lead Discovery Center Announce Collaboration to Discover Novel Monoclonal Antibodies
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Icosagen and Lead Discovery Center Announce Collaboration to Discover Novel Monoclonal Antibodies


Tartu, Estonia – May 14th, 2024. Icosagen, a CRDMO with expertise in innovative antibody research and production, announces a strategic partnership on selected projects with Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC), a translational drug discovery organization tapping on a broad network in academia and industry. This alliance is focused on the discovery of monoclonal antibody portfolios targeting therapeutically relevant proteins, including a pivotal G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), which are often challenging to address.

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Scope of Collaboration

Antibody-based inhibitors have gained  relevance in the field of drug discovery due to their exceptional affinity, selectivity and physicochemical properties. Within this collaboration, Icosagen will generate, identify, and discover potent antibodies against innovative and therapeutically relevant targets, supplying them to LDC for further development.

Utilizing its proprietary technology, Icosagen will produce the proteins of interest and enhance their display on the surface of virus-like particles, which serve as vehicles for the production of antibodies with affinity for the targets. Subsequently, an extensive library will be established to facilitate the selection of high-affinity monoclonal antibodies, which will undergo further analysis at LDC through a streamlined process of high-throughput screening. This partnership highlights Icosagen’s capability to scale its proprietary platforms and synergize effectively with LDC’s workflow.

“Partnering with LDC will further help expand the opportunities for antibody therapeutics, especially in the challenging field of GPCR-targeted treatments” said professor Mart Ustav, CEO of Icosagen. “This will not only highlight our technological expertise but also perfectly aligns with our mission to transform scientific discoveries into life-changing treatments.”

“We are excited to partner up with Icosagen, a competent and highly experienced player in the field of antibody research” remarked Bert Klebl, CEO and CSO of LDC. “This project will greatly benefit from Icosagen’s expertise and state-of-the-art capabilities as we pursue our shared goal: the development of novel therapeutics that can make a meaningful difference in healthcare.”

Future Prospects

LDC takes on promising early-stage projects from academia and transforms them into innovative pharmaceutical leads and antibodies that reach initial proof-of-concept in animals as well as candidate nomination. In close collaboration with high-profile partners from research and industry, LDC is building a strong and growing portfolio of small molecule and antibody leads with exceptional medical and commercial potential. The partnership between Icosagen and LDC holds promise in advancing targeted therapeutics, with the potential to revolutionize treatment approaches and improve outcomes for patients worldwide. The successful development of these monoclonal antibodies is anticipated to significantly advance the understanding and treatment of diseases.

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About Icosagen

Icosagen is a renowned biotech company with over 20 years of experience in pioneering antibody research and production. With a strong commitment to innovation, Icosagen has developed a range of proprietary platforms for the efficient discovery, development and manufacturing of high-quality antibodies, serving the global research community and pharmaceutical industry.

Further information available at: www.icosagen.com

About LDC

Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC) was established in 2008 by the technology transfer organization Max Planck Innovation, as a novel approach to capitalize on the potential of excellent basic research for the discovery of new therapies for diseases with high medical need. LDC takes on promising early-stage projects from academia and transforms them into innovative pharmaceutical leads and antibodies that reach initial proof-of-concept in animals as well as candidate nomination. In close collaboration with high-profile partners from research and industry, LDC is building a strong and growing portfolio of small molecule and antibody leads with exceptional medical and commercial potential.

LDC sustains a long-term partnership with the Max Planck Society and its institutes as well as with KHAN-I, and has formed alliances with AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck KGaA, Daiichi Sankyo, Qurient, InvIOS, Novo Nordisk, Cumulus Oncology, Nodus Oncology, JT Pharmaceuticals, KinSea Lead Discovery AS, HLB Pharma, the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, e.g. In addition, LDC also works with leading translational drug discovery centers and with various investors to provide its assets for company creation.

Further information available at: www.lead-discovery.de

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Contact:

Lead Discovery Center GmbH
Otto-Hahn-Straße 15
44227 Dortmund, Germany
pr@lead-discovery.de
www.lead-discovery.de

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Donnerstag, der 25. April 2024
Norwegisches Start-up KinSea gibt ersten Abschluss ihrer Seed-Finanzierungsrunde bekannt
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Norwegisches Start-up KinSea gibt ersten Abschluss ihrer Seed-Finanzierungsrunde bekannt
  • Investitionen von KHAN Technology Transfer Fund I und Berners AS
  • Weiterentwicklung von KinSeas Leitprojekt – Entwicklung eines hochpotenten, spezifischen FLT3-Inhibitors zur Behandlung von Akuter Myeloischer Leukämie (AML), der auch behandlungsresistente Mutationen adressiert
  • Kapitalerhöhung bestätigt KinSeas Strategie, das Potenzial bioaktiver mariner Substanzen zur Behandlung von Krebs und anderen Krankheiten zu erschließen, für die dringend neue Therapien benötigt werden
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Tromsø, Norwegen, und Dortmund, Deutschland – 25. April 2024. KinSea Lead Discovery AS, ein biopharmazeutisches Start-up Unternehmen, das marine bioaktive Substanzen zur Behandlung von Krankheiten nutzbar macht, gibt den ersten Abschluss ihrer Seed-Finanzierungsrunde bekannt. Sie umfasst die Kapitaleinlage von KHAN Technology Transfer Fund I (KHAN-I), einem deutschen Life-Science-Venture-Fonds, sowie von Berners AS, einer nordnorwegischen Investmentgesellschaft, die als neuer Investor hinzukommt. Ein Jahr zuvor hatte KinSea bereits ein Wandeldarlehen von KHAN-I erhalten, welches nun in Unternehmensanteile gewandelt wurde.

Mit Hilfe des frischen Kapitals will das Unternehmen sein führendes Projekt in Richtung präklinischer und klinischer Prüfungen voranbringen. Der FLT3-Inhibitor basiert auf einem einzigartigen Naturstoff marinen Ursprungs. Daten aus in vivo Proof-of-Concept Studien zeigten deutliche Überlegenheit gegenüber bisherigen FLT3-Inhibitoren, wie z. B. eine breite Wirksamkeit gegen bekannte medikamentös induzierte und behandlungsresistente FLT3-Mutationen, verbesserte Selektivität und eine außergewöhnlich hohe Potenz. Das Projekt ist aus der erfolgreichen Zusammenarbeit der Gründungspartner Arctic University of Norway (UiT), University of Bergen (UiB), Norinnova, und Lead Discovery Center (LDC) hervorgegangen.

„Wir freuen uns über das Vertrauen und die fortgesetzte Unterstützung von KHAN-I und begrüßen herzlich Berners AS an Bord,“ sagt Jeanette Hammer Andersen, Geschäftsführerin von KinSea. „Dieser erste Abschluss unserer Seedrunde bestätigt das enorme Potenzial unseres Ansatzes. Wir werden alles daransetzen, unsere FLT3-Inhibitoren in die nächste Phase der Arzneimittelentwicklung zu überführen und damit neue Behandlungsmöglichkeiten für AML-Patienten verfügbar zu machen, die besser verträglich und effektiver sind.“

Parallel will KinSea ihre Pipeline schrittweise erweitern und ein Portfolio aussichtsreicher Wirkstoffprojekte aufbauen, basierend auf marinen Naturstoffen aus dem arktischen Ozean.

„Wir freuen uns, unser Engagement für KinSea auszubauen und ihr wegweisendes Vorhaben zur therapeutischen Nutzung mariner Substanzen weiterhin zu unterstützen. Das Team hat im letzten Jahr signifikante Fortschritte erzielt. Wir sind überzeugt, dass sie mit ihrem einzigartigen Ansatz und ihrer herausragenden Kompetenz die Fortentwicklung und Erweiterung der Pipeline vorantreiben und letztlich dazu beitragen werden, das Leben von Patienten zu verbessern, insbesondere im Hinblick auf dringend benötigte, bessere Behandlungsmöglichkeiten für AML”, kommentiert Bert Klebl, Geschäftsführer des KHAN-I.

Mats Sæverud, Geschäftsführer von Berners AS, fügt hinzu: „Mit KinSea haben wir ein ambitioniertes Start-up gefunden, das Naturstoffe aus dem arktischen Ozean sinnvoll nutzt. Das Team hat eine vorausschauende Vision, bietet skalierbare Lösungen, exzellente Expertise und Fähigkeiten und passt damit sehr gut zu unseren Ambitionen.”

KinSea führt bereits Gespräche mit weiteren Investoren für einen zweiten, finalen Abschluss der Seed-Finanzierung

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Kontakt
Lead Discovery Center GmbH
Otto-Hahn-Straße 15
44227 Dortmund
Deutschland
Telefon: +49 231 97 42 70 00
Mail: pr@lead-discovery.de

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Über KHAN-I

Die KHAN Technology Transfer Fund I GmbH & Co KG (KHAN-I) ist ein Risikofonds für die Frühphase der Biowissenschaften mit einem verwalteten Vermögen von 70 Millionen Euro. Unsere Aufgabe ist es, durch kooperative Partnerschaften mit akademischen Innovatoren in Europa Werte zu schaffen. KHAN-I konzentriert sich auf erstklassige Therapien für attraktive Märkte mit hohem ungedecktem medizinischem Bedarf. Der Fonds wird von der Khanu Management GmbH verwaltet, einem erfahrenen Team von Fachleuten mit nachgewiesener Erfolgsbilanz bei der Entwicklung von Arzneimitteln in der Frühphase, bei akademischen Ausgründungen sowie bei der Lizenzierung von Arzneimitteln und bei Partnerschaften. KHAN-I erhielt eine Investition des Europäischen Investitionsfonds (EIF) mit Unterstützung von InnovFin Equity und mit finanzieller Unterstützung der Europäischen Union im Rahmen der Finanzierungsinstrumente von Horizont 2020 und des Europäischen Fonds für strategische Investitionen (EFSI) im Rahmen des Investitionsplans für Europa.

KHAN-I wird auch von der Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (AWS mit Mitteln des österreichischen Bundesministeriums für Digitales und Wirtschaft und der Österreichischen Stiftung für Forschung, Technologie und Entwicklung), der Max-Planck-Förderstiftung und der Thyssen’sche Handelsgesellschaft mbH unterstützt. Darüber hinaus unterhält KHAN-I eine bevorzugte Partnerschaft mit der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft e.V.

Weitere Informationen: www.khanu.de

Über Berners AS

Berners AS ist eine neu gegründete, private Investmentgesellschaft mit Sitz in Tromsø, Norwegen. Durch Investitionen und aktive Teilhabe wird Berners zur Entwicklung profitabler und nachhaltiger Unternehmen beitragen, insbesondere im marinen Sektor. Unser Ziel ist es, Marken und Kompetenz-Cluster in Nordnorwegen zu unterstützten. Unsere Investmentstrategie beruht auf unserem Wissen und unserer Liebe zur Küste und dem Meer und den Möglichkeiten, die diese bieten. Berners gehört Triko AS (zu 80%) und Larren Invest AS (zu 20%).

Über Norinnova

Norinnova gehört zu den kompetentesten und erfahrensten Technologietransfer-Agenturen Nordnorwegens. Norinnova vernetzt Forschung, Start-ups, Unternehmen und kommerzielle Akteure, um die Innovationskraft der Region zu entwickeln und zu nutzen. Seit mehr als 30 Jahren arbeitet Norinnova eng mit Wissenschaftlern und führenden Forschungsgemeinschaften in Nordnorwegen zusammen, um das Innovationspotenzial der Region auszuschöpfen. Diese Zusammenarbeit hat dazu beigetragen, neue Unternehmen zu gründen und bestehende durch neue Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu stärken. Norinnova sichert Rechte, hilft, finanzielle Mittel bereitzustellen, analysiert das Marktpotenzial, findet die richtigen Partner und trägt dazu bei, dass Wissenschaftler ihre Produkte und Leistungen auf den Markt bringen können.

Weitere Informationen: www.norinnova.no

Über LDC

Die Lead Discovery Center GmbH wurde 2008 von der Technologietransfer-Organisation Max-Planck-Innovation gegründet, um das Potenzial exzellenter Grundlagenforschung für die Entwicklung neuer, dringend benötigter Medikamente besser zu nutzen. LDC nimmt vielversprechende Projekte aus der akademischen Forschung auf und entwickelt sie typischerweise weiter bis zu pharmazeutischen Leitstrukturen (Proof-of-Concept in Modellsystemen) oder bis zu präklinischen Kandidaten. In enger Zusammenarbeit mit führenden Partnern aus der akademischen Forschung und Industrie entwickelt LDC ein umfangreiches Portfolio an Projekten im Bereich niedermolekularer Wirkstoffe sowie therapeutische Antikörper mit außergewöhnlich hohem medizinischem und kommerziellem Potenzial.

LDC unterhält eine enge Partnerschaft mit der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft und dem KHAN Technology Transfer Fund I (KHAN-I). Es hat weltweit zahlreiche Kooperationen mit verschiedenen Organisationen geschlossen, u.a. AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck KGaA, Daiichi Sankyo, Qurient, invIOs, Novo Nordisk, Cumulus Oncology, Nodus Oncology, JT Pharmaceuticals, KinSea Lead Discovery AS, HLB Life Science und dem Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung. Das LDC arbeitet außerdem mit führenden akademischen Wirkstoffforschungszentren und mehreren Investoren zusammen, um Firmengründungen zu unterstützen.

Weitere Informationen: www.lead-discovery.de

Mittwoch, der 28. September 2022
Start-up CalTIC secures up to EUR 3 million in seed financing to develop a new class of drugs targeting TRPC channels
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Start-up CalTIC secures up to EUR 3 million in seed financing to develop a new class of drugs targeting TRPC channels

Dortmund, Germany, and Leeds, UK– September 28th, 2022. The KHAN Technology Transfer Fund I (KHAN-I) has committed up to EUR 3 million in milestone-dependent payments to CalTIC, a Dortmund based start-up, for the discovery of a new class of drugs.

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The start-up builds on a long-term collaboration between the Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC), the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology (MPI-MP) and the University of Leeds (UoL), which resulted in the validation of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channel inhibition as a promising new approach for the treatment of widespread conditions, including metabolic diseases, obesity, and heart hypertrophy. Using the proceeds, the founding partners will continue their collaboration to advance their results to preclinical stage. CalTIC’s stakeholders are UoL, LDC, the Max Planck Society (MPG), Prof. Marc Freichel at the Institute of Pharmacology at Heidelberg University, and KHAN-I.

The inhibition of TRPC channels presents an entirely new approach to treating metabolic and heart disease,” says Bert Klebl, CEO & CSO of LDC. “It holds significant potential for patients, and we are very much looking forward to continuing our collaboration with this group of excellent scientists and clinicians to translate it into practice.”

CalTIC’s TRPC inhibitors block binding sites that were originally discovered by Prof. David J. Beech (UoL) and Prof. Herbert Waldmann (MPI-MP) as targets of Englerin A. Results from various in vivo models support both the potency and safety of the approach of the newly developed TRPC channel inhibitors in metabolic and heart disease.

We are delighted that KHAN-I has placed great confidence in CalTIC,” says Klaus Dinkel, CEO of CalTIC, “With KHAN’s investment and our partners’ continued commitment, we are perfectly positioned to exploit the exciting project.”

For drugs that inhibit receptors, we refer to receptor subtypes, such as beta-adrenoceptor-blocking drugs and so on. But for calcium channels, we refer to calcium-channel blockers as if there is only one type of calcium channel, yet we now know this isn’t the case – there are many. Our CalTIC therapeutic innovation partnership will target some of these new calcium channels. It’s a hugely exciting moment to see the potential for new medicines after years of effort getting to this point,” states Prof. David Beech, UoL School of Medicine.

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About LDC

Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC) was established in 2008 by the technology transfer organization Max Planck Innovation, as a novel approach to capitalize on the potential of excellent basic research for the discovery of new therapies for diseases with high medical need. The LDC takes on promising early-stage projects from academia and transforms them into innovative pharmaceutical leads and antibodies that reach initial proof-of-concept in animals as well as candidate nomination. In close collaboration with high-profile partners from research and industry, the LDC is building a strong and growing portfolio of small molecule and antibody leads with exceptional medical and commercial potential. LDC sustains a long-term partnership with the Max Planck Society, KHAN-I GmbH & Co.KG and has formed alliances with AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck KGaA, Daiichi Sankyo, Qurient, Roche, Apeiron, e.g. In addition, LDC also works with leading translational drug discovery centers and with various investors to provide its assets for company creation.

Further information at: www.lead-discovery.de

About KHAN Technology Transfer Fund I GmbH & Co KG (KHAN-I)

KHAN Technology Transfer Fund I GmbH & Co KG (KHAN-I) is an early-stage life sciences venture fund with € 70 million under management. Our mission is to create value through cooperative drug development partnerships with academic innovators in Europe. KHAN-I focuses on first-in-class therapies for attractive markets with a high unmet medical need. The fund is managed by Khanu Management GmbH, an experienced team of professionals with proven track records in early-stage drug development, academic spin-offs as well as pharma licensing and partnering. 

KHAN-I received an investment from the European Investment Fund (EIF) with support of InnovFin Equity, with the financial backing of the European Union under Horizon 2020 Financial Instruments and the European Fund for Strategic Investments (“EFSI”) under the Investment Plan for Europe. KHAN-I is also supported by Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (AWS with funds provided by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs and the Austrian Foundation for Research, Technology and Development), Max Planck Foundation and Thyssen’sche Handelsgesellschaft mbH. 

For more information visit www.khanu.de

 

About University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK, with more than 38.000 students from more than 150 different countries, and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. The University plays a significant role in the Turing, Rosalind Franklin and Royce Institutes. We are a top ten university for research and impact power in the UK, according to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, and are in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings 2020. The University was awarded a Gold rating by the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework in 2017, recognising its ‘consistently outstanding’ teaching and learning provision. Twenty-six of our academics have been awarded National Teaching Fellowships – more than any other institution in England, Northern Ireland and Wales – reflecting the excellence of our teaching.

Further information at: www.leeds.ac.uk

 

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Contact:
Lead Discovery Center GmbH
Otto-Hahn-Straße 15
44227 Dortmund
Germany
pr@lead-discovery.de

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Mittwoch, der 7. September 2022
QLi5 Therapeutics Attracts EUR 10 Million in Series A Financing
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QLi5 Therapeutics Attracts EUR 10 Million in Series A Financing

Development of novel proteasome inhibitors for treating cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders

Dortmund, September 7th, 2022 — Qli5 Therapeutics GmbH (QLi5), a German-Korean joint venture developing a new class of proteasome inhibitors, has closed a EUR 10 million series A financing round with an international consortium of investors including SV Investment (Korea), KHAN Technology Transfer Fund I (Germany), Atinum Investment (Korea) and DAOL Investment (former KTB, Korea).

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QLi5 will use the proceeds to advance its pipeline of highly-differentiated proteasome inhibitors to the start of clinical trials addressing various indications. The proteasome functions as cellular ‘garbage processing facility’ eliminating misfolded, damaged or expired proteins. It is therefore critical to cell survival and presents a compelling target for the treatment of multiple conditions that involve an overproduction of non-functional proteins, including cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases.
 
Based on the leading proteasome expertise of Nobel laureate and company co-founder Prof. Robert Huber and a multi-year collaboration between his lab at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry and the Lead Discovery Center (LDC), QLi5 has established a versatile platform for the design of proteasome inhibitors with outstanding selectivity, unique non-covalent binding characteristics and favourable pharmacodynamic properties.
 
“This new class of proteasome inhibitors has significant advantages over first-generation approaches and opens a wide field of therapeutic applications. We are very much impressed with both, the platform and the progress made so far”, Representative of SV Investment says.
 
“QLi5 demonstrates what can be achieved when excellent science meets with professional drug discovery and development expertise”, adds Kiyean Nam, CEO and CSO of Qurient, co-founder of QLi5 and long-term strategic partner of the Max-Planck-Society and the LDC.
 
“We are glad to see the program advance so rapidly and efficiently. With the financing and added management expertise it is well on track to deliver on its promise for many patients who currently lack sufficient treatment options”, says Bert Klebl, CEO of LDC.
 
“The commitment of this renowned group of investors highlights the exceptional potential of QLi5’s proteasome programs. I am looking forward to being part of this team of brilliant scientists and drug developers. Together, we are perfectly set to bringing the approach full fruition, medically and commercially”, says Martin Huber, CEO of QLi5.
 
“The current financing round is straightforwardly enabling new opportunities for treating patients with cancer, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. We are perfectly satisfied, that the groundbreaking work from the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, put into experienced hands in industry, lays the foundation for this promising endeavour”, explains Dieter Link, licensing and patent manager at Max Planck Innovation.

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>> Contact

QLi5 Therapeutics GmbH
Martin Huber
Otto-Hahn-Straße 15
D–44227 Dortmund
Tel.: +49 177 8524152
Mail: huber@QLi5tx.com

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About QLi5

QLi5 was founded in 2019 as a joint venture of Qurient Co. Ltd, Korea, Max Planck Society (MPG), Germany, Lead Discovery Center (LDC), Germany, Nobel laureate Prof. Robert Huber, emeritus director of the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Germany. The company has established a proprietary platform for the development of proteasome inhibitors with high selectivity and unique, non-covalent binding properties. Using the proceeds of a EUR 10 million series A financing in 2022, the company is advancing its pipeline and preparing clinical trials in various indications including cancer, inflammation and autoimmune diseases.
The key role of the proteasome is the elimination of misfolded, damaged or expired proteins. The principle of proteasome inhibition was discovered in many years of basic research by the Max Planck Society. The extremely complex multi-subunit protein 3D-structure of the constitutive and immuno-proteasome was resolved by Prof. Huber’s lab. This solid structural understanding enabled the development of novel chemical series of proteasome inhibitors with a wide range of selectivity.

Further information at: www.qli5tx.com

About SV Investment, Korea

SV Investment is a venture capital & private equity firm headquartered in Seoul, Korea, with offices located in Boston, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Jakarta. Founded in 2006, we’ve invested in more than 220 companies, and made 48 successful IPOs. We invest in sectors with high growth potentials, mainly TMT, consumer & entertainment, healthcare and advanced manufacturing. As a strategic value creator, we prefer to lead the investment round and form a sound partnership with our investee companies, support the company in globalization, business development, strategy, HR etc.

About KHAN Technology Transfer Fund I GmbH & Co. KG (KHAN-I)

KHAN-I is a limited partnership under German law with the European Investment Fund (EIF), Max Planck Foundation (MPF), Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (AWS), Thyssen’sche Handelsgesellschaft, and KHAN-I Vermögensverwaltung GmbH & Co. KG as non-managing limited partners and Khanu Management GmbH (KHANU) as general partner and fund manager. The purpose of KHAN-I is to invest in innovative drug discovery projects and spin-out companies, primarily originating from academic sources, at the discovery, pre-clinical and clinical development stage for human healthcare and, opportunistically, veterinary care as well as to commercialise the results and products of the investments and, thus, to participate, directly or indirectly, in future proceeds.

About Atinum Investment, Korea

Atinum Investment is a top-notch Venture Capital firm established in 1988. Our investment philosophy revolves around the idea of finding the right intrinsic value of venture companies. With the insight of the various industry specialists at hand at Atinum Investment, we have comprehensive expertise in unearthing companies with high growth potential. Atinum manages Assets of more than US$1 billion in 26 funds and has invested in 400+ companies since its company set up in 1988.

About DAOL Investment (former KTB), Korea

DAOL (former KTB) was founded in 1981 as the first Venture Capital firm in Korea. Since then, DAOL has successfully managed over US$3 billion in venture and growth capital funds. We have learned how to uncover value for our portfolio companies and build lasting relationships. Throughout DAOL’s over 40 years of history, more than 250 portfolio companies of DAOL have gone public in Korea and abroad, accounting for over 10% of Korean IPOs. DAOL has offices in Seoul, Shanghai and Silicon Valley.

About Qurient, Co. Ltd.

Qurient, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development of novel therapeutics for oncology and inflammatory diseases from discovery to human proof-of-concept through a virtual R&D project management platform. Qurient’s pipeline includes multiple drug candidates in preclinical to phase 2 clinical development.

For more info, please visit www.qurient.com.

About Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC)

LDC was established in 2008 by the technology transfer organization Max Planck Innovation, as a novel approach to capitalize on the potential of excellent basic research for the discovery of new therapies for diseases with high medical need. The LDC takes on promising early-stage projects from academia and transforms them into innovative pharmaceutical leads and antibodies that reach initial proof-of-concept in animals as well as candidate nomination. In close collaboration with high-profile partners from research and industry, the LDC is building a strong and growing portfolio of small molecule and antibody leads with exceptional medical and commercial potential. LDC sustains a long-term partnership with the Max Planck Society, KHAN-I GmbH & Co.KG and has formed alliances with AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck KGaA, Daiichi Sankyo, Qurient, Roche, Apeiron, e.g. In addition, LDC also works with leading translational drug discovery centers and with various investors to provide its assets for company creation.

Further information at: www.lead-discovery.de

About Max Planck Innovation

Max Planck Innovation (MI) is responsible for the technology transfer of the Max Planck Society and, as such, the link between industry and basic research. With an interdisciplinary, team MI advises and supports scientists at Max Planck Institutes in evaluating their inventions, filing patents and founding companies. MI offers industry unique access to the innovations of the Max Planck Institutes. Thus, MI performs an important task: the transfer of basic research results into products that contribute to economic and social progress.

Further information at: www.max-planck-innovation.de

Mittwoch, der 9. Februar 2022
Qurient Announces U.S. FDA Clearance of IND Application for Q901, a Novel Cancer Therapy
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Qurient Announces U.S. FDA Clearance of IND Application for Q901, a Novel Cancer Therapy

Phase 1/2 clinical study in patients with advanced solid tumor expected to start in Q2/2022

Dortmund, Germany, and Seongnam-Si, Korea, February 9th, 2022 – Qurient Co. Ltd. (KRX: 115180), a clinical stage biotech company, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its investigational new drug (IND) application for Q901, a small molecule oncology drug candidate targeting cyclin dependent kinase 7 (CDK7).

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The company plans to enroll up to 70 patients with advanced solid tumors in a Phase 1/2 clinical study taking place in the United States. The goal of the study will be to determine the maximum tolerated dose, dose-limiting toxicities, and the recommended Phase 2 dose of Q901.

“IND clearance for Q901 is an important step forward in developing this novel drug candidate that may provide a new alternative treatment to patients with relapsed or refractory malignancies,” says Kiyean Nam, CEO of Qurient. “We look forward to initiating the clinical study for Q901 and presenting additional nonclinical efficacy data of Q901 in various cancer models at an upcoming scientific meeting.”
 
Q901 is a highly selective CDK7 inhibitor that has been shown in in vitro studies to only inhibit CDK7 in the human kinome. CDK7 is a master regulator of cell cycle checkpoints and an essential component of the transcription machinery. Additional data from preclinical studies has demonstrated that selective inhibition of CDK7 specifically kills cancer cells with aberrant cell division cycle or transcriptional regulation. Nonclinical pharmacology studies of Q901 have demonstrated that the selective inhibition of CDK7 exerts tumor growth inhibition in a number of murine cell-derived and patient-derived xenograft models, including breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, small-cell lung, and colorectal cancers.
 
Qurient licensed the CDK7 inhibitor program at lead stage from Lead Discovery Center (LDC) and the Max Planck Society and further optimized the program, completed the IND-enabling studies, and submitted the IND application.
 
“We are thrilled about the second CDK-selective inhibitor from the LDC pipeline to reach cancer patients. The nomination of Q901 for clinical development emphasizes the translational competence of LDC and represents an extremely important milestone,” adds Bert Klebl, CEO and CSO of the LDC. “Starting out with an early-stage and BMBF grant funded academic collaboration with two academic partners, and strongly supported by additional financing from the Max Planck Foundation, LDC has launched this journey to identify and generate mono-specific CDK7 inhibitors. After an initial animal proof-of-concept, the CDK7 assets were licensed to our strategic collaboration partner, Qurient. We respectfully appreciate our ongoing partnership with Qurient, who are now moving the second joint program, after Q702, forward to clinical trials. While licensing these projects and jointly starting the spin-off, QLi5, we have since built a sustainable and strong partnership with Qurient, with more to come, focusing on the translation of innovative biology and drug discovery programs from LDC’s academic network.”
 
“Qurient has proven to be the ideal partner for this project, and we are more than happy about the results of this strategic partnership,” says Jörn Erselius, Managing Director at Max Planck Innovation GmbH.
 
The CDK7 inhibitor project and other projects have been supported in part by private sponsors and charities, especially Max Planck Foundation, which supports many Max Planck research projects and researchers, including the most recent Nobel Laureates at Max Planck. 
 

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>> Contact
PR Lead Discovery Center
+49 (0)231-97 42 70 00
pr@lead-discovery.de

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About LDC
Lead Discovery Center GmbH was established in 2008 by the technology transfer organization Max Planck Innovation, as a novel approach to capitalize on the potential of excellent basic research for the discovery of new therapies for diseases with high medical need. The Lead Discovery Center takes on promising early-stage projects from academia and transforms them into innovative pharmaceutical leads and antibodies that reach initial proof-of-concept in animals. In close collaboration with high-profile partners from academia and industry, the Lead Discovery Center is building a strong and growing portfolio of small molecule leads with exceptional medical and commercial potential. The Lead Discovery Center sustains a long-term partnership with the Max Planck Society, KHAN-I GmbH & Co.KG and has formed alliances with Qurient, AstraZeneca, Apeiron, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Centessa, Merck KGaA, Daiichi Sankyo, Jemincare, Novo Nordisk e.g. In addition, LDC also works with leading translational drug discovery centers and with various investors to provide its assets for company creation. Further information at: www.lead-discovery.de.

About Qurient

Qurient is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company listed in Korea Exchange (KRX 115180). Qurient mainly focuses on development of novel therapeutics from discovery to human proof of concept stages through virtual R&D project management platform. Qurient currently has three programs in clinical development: Q301, a topical leukotriene inhibitor for atopic dermatitis, completed Phase 2b study; Telacebec (Q203), a first-in-class orally available cytochrome bc1 inhibitor for tuberculosis, completed Phase 2 study; and Q702, under Phase 1/2 study. A subsidiary of Qurient, QLi5 is developing immunoproteasome inhibitors targeting multiple Myeloma and diverse other indications. For more info, please visit www.qurient.com.
 
About Max Planck Innovation
Max Planck Innovation (MI) is responsible for the technology transfer of the Max Planck Society and, as such, the link between industry and basic research. With an interdisciplinary, team MI advises and supports scientists at Max Planck Institutes in evaluating their inventions, filing patents and founding companies. MI offers industry unique access to the innovations of the Max Planck Institutes. Thus, MI performs an important task: the transfer of basic research results into products that contribute to economic and social progress. Further information at: www.max-planck-innovation.com.