ThromboGenics receives €3.2M to develop anti-thrombocytopenic antibody

Grant

The Institute for the promotion of Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT), in Flanders, Belgium, has granted KU Leuven spin-out, ThromboGenics, €3.2 million to develop a proprietary antibody that is able to restore platelet production after cancer chemotherapy. Under the terms of the agreement, the anti-VPAC1 (Vasoactive intestinal peptide/Pituitary Adenylyl Cyclase-activating peptide receptor 1) antibody is expected to reach several development milestones prior to beginning clinical trials in 2011.

Cancer chemotherapy reduces the number of blood platelets and so prevents normal blood clotting, increasing patient’s risk of bleeding or hemorrhage. The anti-VPAC1 antibody could replace the requirement for blood platelet transfusion and increase the speed of platelet recovery in patients suffering severe thrombocytopenia. Binding of the anti-VPAC1 antibody to the VPAC1 receptor found on bone marrow platelet producing cells helps their maturation and enhances their ability to produce platelets.

Patrik De Haes, of ThromboGenics, said, “We are pleased to have received this grant from the IWT which highlights the high quality scientific research that is the basis of ThromboGenics’ success. The funds from this grant will assist us in continuing the development of Anti-VPAC1, our most advanced pre-clinical project. Results to-date suggest that the inhibition of VPAC1 could represent a major advance in treating thrombocytopenia experienced by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This would be a very significant improvement in their standard of care and could potentially lead to better treatment outcomes. I very much look forward to being able to report further results with this novel program as we work to move Anti-VPAC1 into the clinic.”

www.thrombogenics.com