The treatment, called IXSCD11a, is an antibody fragment based on the Transmab technology, which is capable of penetrating cell membranes and dermal barriers. By using Transmab InNexus believes it can significantly improve cell penetration compared to other psoriasis treatments.
Using this system the antibody fragment binds to a cell surface molecule involved in inflammation. Specifically, the fragment binds to CD11a which is part of the process that leads to psoriatic lesions.
The antibody fragment was developed by another company and shown to be effective but was dropped due to incidences of fatal brain infection. These were caused by systemic immunosuppression and InNexus believes its treatment will avoid these problems.
Thomas Kindt, chief scientific officer at InNexus, explained that IXSCD11a uses low molecular weight antibody fragments and consequently they are removed from circulation before they could cause systemic immune suppression.
InNexus is formulating IXSCD11a for topical use, either as a lotion or in patches which would be applied to the affected areas.
The year ahead
Jeff Morhet, CEO of InNexus, said: “2009 might have been a year for survival, but 2010 is a year for biotech companies to differentiate and show their value.
“It is our aim to develop safe and effective treatments for disease conditions that cause physical and mental suffering to millions of people.”
Morhet believes the psoriasis treatment fits into this category, describing it as “exciting science”. He added that IXSCD11a combines the efficacy of previous products “with a desired and reassuring safety profile”.