The data published in Cell show that antibodies against PlGF (placental growth factor) can inhibit cancer tumour growth and the development of metastases in preclinical models, without affecting healthy tissues. These attractive properties are due to PIGF inhibitors acting by blocking the formation of new blood vessels only in the cancer tissue. Not cause or aggravate the typical side effects of anti-angiogenic antibodies when given as combination therapy.
Therefore, anti-PlGF antibodies, such as TB-403, potentially have an improved efficacy/toxicity profile that would be expected to inhibit angiogenesis in diseased conditions, without, importantly, affecting normal blood vessels in healthy tissues.
Prof. Desire Collen, CEO and chairman of ThromboGenics, said: “Today’s publication in the prestigious journal Cell clearly highlights our ground-breaking research in the field of angiogenesis. The data in the Cell paper shows the potential of our novel anti-PlGF antibody, TB-403, based on its unique ability to block the development of new blood vessels, but only via mechanisms that exist in the diseased state. This mode of action, which is different from and complementary to current anti-VEGF inhibitors, makes it attractive as both a stand-alone and combination therapy.”