The number two killer globally, infectious disease is a great place to invest
“Infectious disease is a great place to invest,” according to Stephen Dunn, president and senior managing director of research at LifeTech Capital. Moderating the panel on infectious disease at Biotech Showcase™ 2012, he pointed out that infectious diseases are the number two killer globally, just behind cardiovascular disease.
Currently, the market is split between therapeutic and preventive vaccines, according to panelist Raphael Klingmann, CEO at Omnia Molecular. “The interest in the marketplace currently is on gram-negative multiresistant infections. Aside from the scientific challenges, biotech companies conducting infectious disease work also must convince potential investors they can move from seemingly random approaches to iterative optimizations that deliver candidates on schedule, cost-effectively.”
Omnia Molecular has developed In-Omnia Assay Screening technology, which targets aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS). “This enzyme is essential in turning genes into proteins. We designed this molecule to inhibit the catalytic core of the enzyme; it’s the most important part,” Klingmann explained. The company is moving the first compound into animal models and has raised four rounds of financing.
There may be as many novel approaches as there are small biotechs working in this field. Inovio Pharmaceuticals, for example, is developing DNA vaccines delivered through in vivo electroporation. The platform, called SynCon®, is regulated as a drug/device combination by the FDA. J. Joseph Kim, PhD, CEO of Inovio Pharmaceuticals, said, “We can generate a more universal vaccine against mutating antigens. One compound, VGX 3400, may already provide sequences against the (new, Dutch version of the H5N1) virus.”
Stellar Biotechnologies is developing vaccines based on the keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), a large molecule that triggers immune response in mammals. “KLH vaccines use the dendritic pathway, augmenting and enhancing antigen uptake or preservation,” Frank Oakes, CEO, explained. “It has been used successfully used in humans for 40 years. Now, it is being used increasingly in targeted response vaccines and companion diagnostics. Some 100 clinical trials are underway and 30 are enrolling. Stellar innovated the market for KLH by developing a proprietary, non-lethal, method to derive KLH from a marine animal. He says that others’ attempts to develop synthetic KLH have been unsuccessful.
In another approach, Immunovaccine is advancing the DepoVax adjuvant technology platform against hepatitis B, pandemic flu and anthrax, as well as breast, ovarian and prostate cancers, according to John Trizzino, CEO. “It’s eliciting a very robust, durable immune response and, in contrast to today’s H5N1 vaccines, offers single dose protection.” Importantly, DepoVax does not require refrigeration. DepoVax prolongs the body’s exposure to the antigen, and increases the immune response by 10- to 20-fold. Trizzino says he expects DepoVax to enter the clinic within the next 12 to 18 months.
AvidBiotics’ highly specific Avidocin proteins can be engineered to target any bacterial species or strain—including antibiotic resistant strains— with great specificity. Based upon R-pyocin, “It can be modified by changing the engineered tail,” according to David Martin, CEO, and can even be engineered to treat conditions in which the collateral damage to beneficial microbes precludes the use of the standard of care. Internal and collaborative development programs are underway targeting C. difficile, E. coli, Acinetobacter and other bacteria. AvidBiotics also is developing Micacide™ as an antiviral and, with a partner, Purocia™ for food-borne bacterial infections.
The field has great potential, panelists agreed, but, as Dunn noted, “There is no magic bullet for infectious diseases.”
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