BioInvent to develop and commercialize new type of treatment for arteriosclerosis
Bioinvent International AB, has acquired rights to develop antibody-based treatments against arteriosclerosis. The initial objective of such a treatment is to stabilise plaque in the arterial wall that could lead to myocardial infarction.
Plaque forms when fatty particles accumulate in the arterial wall and cause inflammation, cell death and scar formation. The plaque, which contains fat and dead cells, risks being torn apart by the blood flow, which leads to the formation of blood clots and infarction. An antibody-based drug may help prevent new plaque from building up while it could also reduce the size of already existing plaque.
The company intends to develop antibody-based drugs against target structures associated with this process. The rights to these unique target structures have been acquired from Forskarpatent and are based on the research of Professor Jan Nilsson and his team at Lund University. The team has spent several years studying the relationship between arteriosclerosis and the immune system and has found convincing evidence that antibodies have a protective role in the development of arteriosclerosis.
Svein Mathisen, BioInvent’s CEO, sees the initiative as part of his company’s strategy to develop treatments, which target interesting areas of disease, supported by patent protection: “We have been evaluating this project ever since we acquired the option for these fascinating target structures and now we have decided to acquire these rights."
Professor Jan Nilsson confirmed that research by his group and elsewhere had shown the immune system produces protective antibodies in an effort to shield blood vessels from injury caused by hyperlipidemia. "We have successfully identified those structures that cause this formation of antibodies." Professor Nilsson acknowledged BioInvent’s "unique expertise in producing specific human antibodies." and looks forward to the collaboration hoping it "would lead to new opportunities for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases."
Keywords : BioInvent Lund University Sweden Collaboration Arteriosclerosis Myocardial infarction Immune system Antibody Human antibodies Vaccine Treatment
