Austrian spin-outs begin R&D collaboration

Research collaboration

Graz University spin-out ProtAffin AG has begun working with Intercell AG to apply its knowledge of functional proteomics and protein–glycan interactions to Intercell’s vaccine-antigen validation programme.

Intercell, itself spun out of the Campus Vienna Biocenter, Austria, is focused on generating vaccines against infectious diseases. It has developed a prophylactic vaccine against Japanese encephalitis, which concluded a Phase III clinical trial in 2006. Other products such as therapeutic vaccines for hepatitis C and partnered vaccines for Staphylococcus aureus and tuberculosis are in clinical development.

ProtAffin has developed protein-based glycan antagonists which inhibit inflammation. Its proprietary PA401 is in pre-clinical development for the treatment of ischemia/reperfusion injury in kidney transplantation. It is a modified form of human IL-8, which prevents infiltration of neutrophils to sites of inflammation by binding to glycosaminoglycan structures on inflamed endothelia.

Andreas Kungl, Chief Scientific Officer of ProtAffin, said: “We are pleased to be collaborating with Intercell AG as a well-established commercial biotechnology company. ProtAffin has a depth of expertise in functional proteomics and in particular the analysis of protein-glycan interactions, and we are pleased to be assisting Intercell in one of its vaccine antigen identification programmes.”