The Danish biotech is pioneering a novel approach to activating the complement component of the immune system, to treat cancer and various autoimmune diseases.
The funding will be used to accelerate development of its Bispecific Complement Engaging (BiCE) platform, which uses single domain antibodies that bind to the complement protein C1q to activate the complement system, a fast-acting and potent part of the innate immune system.
BiCE is a modular system that can arm antibodies to direct the complement system in a highly targeted way, so that it selectively kills cancer cells or immune cells that drive autoimmune diseases.
Krishna Polu, CEO of Commit Biologics, said: “This financing from Novo Holdings and Bioqube Ventures validates our pioneering approach of engaging and activating the complement system for therapeutic purposes. Our BiCE platform gives us the ability to engage the complement system so that it attacks targeted cells in a highly selective manner.
“This platform also means we can use established antibodies, which cuts development times and reduces risk, to develop best-in-class therapeutics. This is a novel way of harnessing the immune system to tackle cancer and autoimmune disease, and we are confident in the tremendous potential it offers.”
Commit is a spin-out from Aarhus University in Denmark, which has built a global reputation as a center of excellence in complement system biology over the last three decades.
The company was initially incubated and supported by the BioInnovation Institute in Denmark.
Jeroen Bakker, partner at Novo Holdings, added: “With over 30 years of academic rigor from leaders in the complement field behind it, Commit is now unlocking the potential of the complement system to transform the fight against cancer and autoimmune diseases. The team has an incredible track record of domain expertise, and we look forward to working with them to support them on their journey.”
According to the biotech, its approach to triggering the complement system is expected to have a wide therapeutic index and broad applicability.
This method to activate the immune system can also be used in conjunction with other mechanisms of action, such as T-cell directed therapies or other targeted treatments, the company added.
Roderick Verhelst, principal at Bioqube Ventures, said: “We believe Commit is doing something truly novel in the field of complement and advancing a technology with a multitude of therapeutic applications.
"Through its direct engagement of the complement system, this BiCE technology is a best-in-class approach for complement activation. The ability to arm conventional antibodies with potent complement activators for the development of targeted cell killing therapeutics is also a very attractive way of accelerating and derisking product development.”
