Antibody immunotherapies for tumors that have developed resistance

Aethon Therapeutics is pioneering cancer treatment through its innovative HapImmune™ platform, which merges targeted and immune therapies. This platform is based on a unique discovery by researchers at NYU, which reveals that covalent inhibitors can bind to target proteins like EGFR and RAS, forming drug-target peptide conjugates known as haptens. These haptens can be presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on tumor cells, enhancing the antigenicity of cancer-specific proteins. Aethon utilizes a proprietary library of 100 billion synthetic antibody sequences to identify antibodies that specifically recognize these drug-peptide complexes while avoiding interactions with non-drug-bound peptides. 

The antibodies developed through the HapImmune platform are reformatted into bi-specific T cell engagers, designed to target both the drug-peptide:HLA complex and T cell surface proteins, such as anti-CD3. This dual targeting mechanism effectively recruits cytotoxic T cells to selectively eliminate drug-resistant tumor cells while sparing healthy cells. In vitro studies have demonstrated the potential of these engineered antibodies to specifically kill resistant cancer cells, marking a significant advancement in the fight against drug-resistant cancers and offering a promising avenue for future cancer therapies.

United States

Aethon takes a novel approach to fighting cancer, creating custom antibody therapeutics that unite immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Aethon Therapeutics

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