Partnering is a key component of our business strategy. We seek to create value by
advancing our development programs through human proof of concept clinical trials and
subsequently collaborating with major biopharmaceutical companies for late-stage development
and commercialization.
Aurexis®
We are actively seeking a corporate partner(s) for the continued clinical development of Aurexis ®.
Aurexis® is a humanized monoclonal antibody that recognizes clumping factor A (ClfA), a
cell surface protein expressed by virtually all strains of S. aureus. Aurexis® binds with
high affinity and specificity and interferes with S. aureus' ability to colonize and spread among fibrinogen
containing substrates such as wound sites, biomaterial coated implants, and damaged endovascular tissues.
Aurexis®, a FDA "Fast Track" designated product, has been administered intravenously to 62
subjects and appears to be safe and well tolerated. Data from an exploratory Phase II study in patients
with S. aureus bloodstream infections demonstrated that Aurexis® (20 mg/kg) in combination
with standard of care antibiotics lead to a faster and more complete resolution of S. aureus mediated
complications, a reduction in ICU days, less progressions of sepsis, and less nasal colonization.
S. aureus is the most frequent pathogen to cause nosocomial infections and affects a wide range of
different patient groups. S. aureus infections are associated with a longer hospital stay, worse clinical
outcomes and high treatment costs. Most concerning are infections caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus
(MRSA), the incidence of which has increased rapidly in both hospital and - more recently - community
setting, and which shows resistances to most available antibiotics. The high incidence of S. aureus
infections, the high morbidity and mortality rates, and the increasing occurrence of drug-resistant
strains are the key drivers for novel therapies.
The Aurexis® patent estate is robust with issued patents and patent applications globally.
We have an exclusive worldwide license and development agreement with Pfizer for
the development of human staphylococcal vaccines.
MSCRAMM® Technology
MSCRAMM® is an acronym for Microbial Surface Components Recognizing Adhesive
Matrix Molecules. These proteins are located on the surface of pathogenic organisms, such as
bacteria and fungi, and play a prominent role in the process of infection. These proteins enable
organisms to initiate and maintain an infection by adhering to specific sites on human tissue or
implanted medical devices. Our antibody-based product candidates are designed to bind to specific
MSCRAMM® proteins, thereby preventing infections or reducing their severity.
We have identified antibodies that specifically bind to a number of different MSCRAMM®
proteins. We believe that antibodies that target MSCRAMM® proteins can reduce the
incidence and severity of bacterial and fungal infections through two important biological mechanisms
of action. First, by binding to the MSCRAMM® proteins, these antibodies inhibit or
block the invading organism from attaching to tissue or implanted or in-dwelling medical devices.
Second, these antibodies coat the invading organism, identifying it for clearance by other cellular
components of the immune system.
We own or are licensed under numerous issued U.S. patents and pending patent applications, as well as
corresponding international filings in the field. We are interested in finding partners that could further develop these
technologies for therapeutics and diagnostics.
Contact: bd@inhibitex.com