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news.Novosom has purchased an exclusive option from Isis Pharmaceuticals that, if exercised within six months, enables it to acquire a license to antisense inhibitors targeting the CD40 membrane protein for a range of indications.
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Novosom plans to target CD40 for indications such as Crohn's disease, transplant, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and multiple sclerosis. If acquired, the license from Isis would include rights to the target and to oligonucleotides targeting CD40 and incorporating Isis' second generation antisense chemistry, 2' MOE oligonucleotides in exchange for an upfront exercise fee, milestone payments and royalties. Preclinical studies of the already conducted support a favorable safety profile of the CD40 program.
Novosom is using its Smarticles technology to enable systemic delivery of antisense targeting CD40. This encapsulated antisense approach has demonstrated targeted delivery to specific cell types with a rapid onset of action and greater efficacy than the anti-inflammatory blockbuster Remicade.
“We plan to further extend our pipeline with antisense and siRNA programs while taking advantage of the targeted properties of our Smarticles technology in oncology and inflammation,” commented Elias Papatheodorou, CEO of Novosom.