Elsalys Biotech acquires a first-in-class antibody

French firm Elsalys Biotech says it has acquired the development and marketing rights of the anti-CD160 antibody from fellow France-based privately-held Mablife.

As the anti-CD160 antibody has shown its efficacy in cancer and eye disease animal models, Elsalys has already initiated the preclinical evaluation of different humanized versions of this antibody in age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease associated with uncontrolled vascular proliferation. The result of this study, which should lead to the selection of a first drug candidate, is expected in the first half of 2016.

Originating from the work of Armand Bensussan (Centre de Recherche sur la Peau, University Paris Diderot, St Louis Hospital) and Philippe Le Bouteiller E (Centre de Physiopathologie Toulouse-Purpan, INSERM UMR 1043, University of Toulouse III), the anti-CD160 antibody has a dual mechanism of action: it triggers the death of new blood vessels associated with tumors and certain eye diseases (anti-angiogenic effect) and stimulates the action of immune tumor killers (immunomodulatory effect).