Shire boosts its MAb platform with acquisition of hemophilia A candidate

Ireland-incorporated Shire (LSE: SHP) has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize an innovative, bi-specific antibody in pre-clinical development for the treatment of hemophilia A and hemophilia A patients with inhibitors, from privately-held Swiss biotech firm Novimmune.

Shire is leading the development of the program to optimize and evaluate a fully-human, bi-specific IgG antibody targeting FIXa and FX, designed to imitate the body’s natural mechanism of Factor VIII-driven coagulation. The company’s ultimate aim is to deliver a treatment that improves on the strong and long-term record of efficacy and safety that has been set by the Factor class.

“This novel program builds on our extensive monoclonal antibody (MAb) capabilities, as well as on our in-depth scientific expertise in hematology,” said Fritz Scheiflinger, head of global research at Shire. “While further development and clinical trials are needed to fully evaluate this antibody, we are encouraged by the potential of the data that we have seen in early discovery and the promise it may hold for hemophilia A patients and patients with inhibitors”