Evogenix teams with UK firm Domantis

EvoGenix has signed an agreement with UK-based Domantis to apply its protein evolution and optimisation technology to one of Domantis's domain antibody therapeutic leads.

Domantis's domain antibodies (dAbs) are the smallest functional binding units of antibodies, consisting of the variable region of the heavy or light chains. EvoGenix will use its technology to develop a higher affinity version of a dAb being development by Domantis.

EvoGenix CEO Dr Merilyn Sleigh said she was very pleased by the collaboration, which is expected to last for 6-8 months.

"They're such good scientists -- it's a real endorsement for us," she said.

"This collaboration will provide EvoGenix with an excellent opportunity to apply our protein optimisation technology to a target with very interesting commercial potential, and if successful, will open up many further opportunities for us among the wide range of companies developing antibody and antibody mimic therapeutics internationally."

Domantis is part owned by Australian company Peptech, and the two companies recently announced positive pre-clinical results for an anti-TNF alpha domain antibody under development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.