Compugen said that the analysis of the in silico prediction and selection results for the B7/CD28 protein family, the first of three such families selected for validation activities for the new platform, resulted in the identification of nine molecules predicted to be currently unknown members of this intensely and widely studied protein family.
Additionally, five of these nine molecules were identified in the initial analysis, and an additional four were subsequently identified with the benefit of additional insights gained due to those initial discoveries. The other two protein families selected for platform validation activities have not been disclosed.
Proteins belonging to the B7/CD28 co-stimulatory family are known to play a key role in regulating immune response, and therefore are expected to have significant clinical potential in many pathological conditions, including autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Compugen stated that CGEN-15001, the discovery of which was recently disclosed by Compugen, was one of the nine molecules predicted to be members of the B7/CD28 family, and was the first of these predicted molecules to undergo extensive validation.
In order to further develop CGEN-15001 and to undertake validation activities with certain of the other eight predicted B7/CD28 molecules, Compugen has recently expanded its engagement with Professor Miller and Northwestern University.
Compugen R&D vice president Zurit Levine said that they are very enthusiastic regarding the potential of this new platform and look forward to both validating additional novel molecules predicted and selected to date, and pursuing additional protein families of high interest.
"With respect to CGEN-15001, we believe this novel molecule has the potential to be superior over existing drugs for the treatment of MS and possibly other autoimmune diseases. CGEN-15001 inhibits Th1/Th17 while promoting Th2, thereby inhibiting undesired inflammatory responses while promoting beneficial immune responses," Levine said.