On April 1, 2014 BioRap Technologies reported that Fairjourney Biologics signed a Research and Option Agreement with BioRap Technologies at the Rappaport Institute and Hadasit Medical Research Services and Development Ltd. to develop antibodies against Heparanase (Press release, BioRap Technologies, APR 1, 2014, View Source [SID1234516033]). Heparanase was discovered as a target for anti-cancer therapy by Prof. Israel Vlodavsky, a cancer research scientist at the Rappaport Institute and Hadassah Medical Center (Nat. Med. 1999. 5: 793-802).
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Under the terms of the agreement, Fairjourney Biologics will use its expertise in antibody discovery and engineering to develop a superior panel of antibodies, using phage display to tackle multiple epitopes of this target. BioRap Technologies will perform the in-vitro and in-vivo proof of concept at the Rappaport Institute. Fairjourney Biologics has an option to develop the antibody drug candidates on an exclusive basis.
Vlodavsky’s discovery of the extracellular matrix as a reservoir for bioactive molecules provided the basis for the current appreciation of the tumor microenvironment and its significance in cancer progression and treatment. A major achievement of Vlodavsky is the cloning and characterization of heparanase (endo-β-D-glucuronidase), the sole functional enzyme responsible for degradation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. The normal physiological functions of Heparanase include tissue remodeling and repair.
Abnormal expression of Heparanase is implicated in a variety of pathologic processes, including tumor growth, angiogenesis, metastasis, inflammation and glomerular diseases. Preferential expression of this enzyme has been shown in various human tumors. Heparanase knock-out mice have been reported to lack significant abnormalities. Vlodavsky is the pioneering scientist in this area of research, offering basic insights and new treatment strategies for various cancers and other diseases.
Currently, various chemically modified heparins or heparan sulfate mimics have been generated as Heparanase inhibitors. PI-88 (sulfated malto-oligosaccharide), PG545 (fully sulfated tetrasaccaride), Roneparstat (SST0001), and M402 (both glycol-split species of heparin) are being tested in Phase I/II clinical trials (hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, myeloma, lung carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma).
"The biology of Heparanase makes this enzyme a very attractive novel therapeutic target. We are delighted with the opportunity to generate neutralizing antibodies that are expected to profoundly affect tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis," commented Maria Gonzalez-Pajuelo, Fairjourney Biologics’ CSO.
António Parada, Fairjourney Biologics’ CEO emphasized, "After an outstanding track record developing new therapeutic antibodies to partners, it’s time for the company to also have assets. This move will foster value creation and secure broader services from our clients, by demonstrating our capability to deliver more comprehensively on the value chain."
Israel Vlodavsky received his Ph.D. from the Wiezmann Institute (Rehovot, Israel) followed by a postdoctoral training in UCLA and UCSF. He then established the Tumor Biology Research unit of the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center. In 2002, he was recruited to the Technion (Haifa, Israel) where he established the Cancer & Vascular Biology Research Center View Source