Tech Transfer: 9th BioVaria to take place in Munich on 17 May 2016

Ascenion unveils technology highlights: New approaches for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and glioblastoma.

Ascenion will present a total of five projects, including an innovative approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases originating from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and a radioimmunotherapy for the treatment of glioblastoma currently being developed by the Helmholtz Zentrum München in close collaboration with a group of university clinics.

The first project targets the PERK pathway that was shown to be relevant in the development of tauopathies, i.e., neurodegenerative diseases characterised by the pathological aggregation of tau protein (tau tangles) in neurons of the CNS. While most approaches in this field aim to inhibit PERK, the DZNE team is pioneering the strategy of activating it. In relevant in vivo models, this has proved highly promising: an orally given PERK activator led to reduced tau pathology, reduced dendritic spine loss and motor neuron loss, and improved memory and locomotor function.

The second project builds on positive results obtained with an inhibitory anti-CAXII antibody in xenograft tumour models demonstrating its capacity to reduce tumour size and growth. CAXII is an enzyme which is expressed to 100% on glioblastomas but not on healthy brain tissue. Using translational grants, researchers and clinicians are now working together to increase the efficacy of the approach by conjugating a Fab-fragment of the antibody to a radionuclide and advancing the conjugate to clinical stage. A GMP process for the production of CAXII-specific Fabs linked with lutetium-177 is currently under development.

Further BioVaria projects presented by Ascenion are

The proven BioVaria format with its short presentations, all-day poster exhibition and interactive Spin-off Panel provides an unprecedented density of life-science innovations in just one day. At the same time, it allows plenty of opportunity for individual discussions with scientists and their technology transfer representatives.