MedImmune links with synthetic biology firm on novel bispecific antibody

MedImmune and privately-held US synthetic biology firm Abpro have entered into a collaborative agreement to advance the development of a preclinical, novel bispecific antibody targeting angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (Ang2-VEGF).

The agreement is structured as a spin out, benefiting from both companies’ scientific expertise and Abpro’s day-to-day leadership as it oversees the new company, AbMed. Several potential therapeutic areas will be explored where inhibition of the Ang2 and VEGF pathways with this unique bispecific antibody may provide clinical benefit.

Scientists at MedImmune, the global biologics R&D arm of AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN), leveraged the company’s significant experience with bispecific antibody development, engineering a novel bispecific antibody that demonstrated potent activity in animal models, which may be useful in targeting disease indications with high unmet needs. Abpro will bring strong scientific, technical and clinical expertise to the new company moving forward, and its core technology platform, DiversImmune, will be used to further refine the antibody.