Safety on the way to effective tumour cell killing

Göttingen, 13.10.2020


Scientists at the University of Göttingen develop drug for antibody tumour therapy

Chemists at the University of Göttingen have developed new cytotoxic drugs which could revolutionise antibody-based tumour therapy approaches. The research team succeeded in modifying the natural product Duocarmycin into “prodrug” formats – which means that it only develops its effect once inside the tumour cell, thus reducing the likelihood of potential side effects on passage through the body. The University has entered into an exclusive licence agreement with the biotechnology company Iksuda Therapeutics for onward development and commercialisation in cancer therapeutics.

Antibody tumour therapies have enabled significant therapeutic benefits to patients suffering from cancer, autoimmune diseases and other serious diseases. However, many antibodies lack sufficient anti-tumour activity in the cell. This can be achieved by the use of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), where antibodies, which target specific cancer antigens, are armed with powerful cell-killing (cytotoxic) agents or ‘payloads’. ADCs have become powerful additions to the cancer treatment armoury, with several recent drug approvals and expanding clinical validation. However, most early-wave ADCs are associated with poor tolerability profiles, often due to a reduction in efficacy caused by the loss of the toxic payload whilst in circulation. Some programmes have failed as a result of low efficacy, where the payload is not active enough once inside the cell. ADC innovators, such as Iksuda, are working on the development of ADCs with a higher therapeutic index and finding safer ways to deliver potent cell-killing toxins. Iksuda has developed their own stable conjugation platform which reduces the risk of loss of efficacy.
One way to enhance both safety and efficacy of an ADC is to ensure that the payload is only released via tumour-activated mechanisms. With this approach, the precursors, called prodrugs, are able to release more potent payloads inside the cancer cell, with limited impact outside the cell.

Fast, convenient & standardized: New lab innovation for automated tissue engineering & drug screening

Göttingen, 08.09.2017

MBM ScienceBridge GmbH successfully negotiated a license agreement between University Medical Center Göttingen and the biotech company Tissue Systems Holding GmbH about commercial use of a multi-well tissue plate for automated and reliable tissue engineering & drug testing.

This lab innovation is based on previous scientific work from the group of Prof. Dr. Wolfram-Hubertus Zimmermann, Director of the Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology at the UMG. Under the terms of the non-exclusive license agreement UMG will receive an upfront payment and, besides royalties, annual minimum license fees.

Fast, specific, sensitive and robust – Paratuberculosis test for ruminants

Göttingen, 15.01.2018

MBM ScienceBridge GmbH successfully negotiated a license agreement between Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Stiftung Öffentlichen Rechts (SUG) and a global veterinary diagnostic company about the commercial use of a PCR-based test for Paratuberculosis or Johne's disease.

This test uses real-time PCR technology and is based on previous scientific work from the group of Prof. Dr. Dr. Claus-Peter Czerny, Director of the Department of Animal Sciences and head of Microbiology and Animal Hygiene at the SUG. Under the terms of the non-exclusive license agreement with the ZIM collaboration partner, SUG will receive an upfront payment in the five-digit range and running royalties.

Agreement between Georg-August-Univesität Göttingen and global player from Finland Stora Enso Oyj for a new wood/timber treatment

Göttingen, 17.01.2018

MBM ScienceBridge GmbH negotiates exploitation agreement between Georg-August-Univesität Göttingen and global player from Finland Stora Enso Oyj for a new wood/timber treatment to improve its quality developed by Göttinger scientists under the lead of Prof. Dr. Militz.

Through the commercial exploitation agreement, which has been successfully negotiated by MBM ScienceBridge GmbH, the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen will receive financial payments for the benefit for further research and of the researches.