Rapid Antigen Specific T-cell Receptor isolation for Immunotherapies and Diagnostics
We are working on cures for autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes. These diseases affect >10% of the population. Currently there is no platform for the rapid design of peptide drugs to switch off these diseases. Our technology allows us to identify cells causing these diseases and use their receptors to design diagnostics and therapeutic peptides in both humans and animals.
Novel platform enables rapid
in-species discovery
The FAIM approach allows us to identify antigen-specific T cells, isolate their receptor genes and create immortalised cell lines from individuals affected by a particular disease. These cells lines are used to create therapeutic peptides based on the design strategy developed in our laboratory. These therapeutic peptides are tested in focused patient groups to identify successful candidates for clinical development.
Accelerated
Discovery
Our ‘in-species’ discovery methodology allows us to design therapeutic peptides in 10 weeks compared to >6 months using conventional approaches.
Versatility in Application
The FAIM approach allows us to design diagnostics and therapeutic peptides for allergic and autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, the TCR genes identified can also be used to create antigen-specific regulatory T cells for advanced therapy of autoimmune diseases or TCR-transduced T cells for treatment of cancer.
In-species
Development
In our experience, even humanised animal models often produces misleading results in the design and development of therapeutic peptides. Years of development time have been lost as a result. Our ‘in species’ approach utilises a species specific workflow which allows rapid identification of species relevant T cell epitopes and accelerates the design of therapeutic candidates.
Safer
Therapeutics
All peptides created using our design strategy to date have been well tolerated in humans and other species. Our antigen-specific immunotherapeutic approach avoids the side effects associated with the non-specific immunosuppressive drugs currently used to treat allergic and autoimmune diseases.