Zenyth in-licenses antibody patents from Ludwig

Melbourne's Zenyth Therapeutics (ASX:ZTL), formerly Amrad, has in-licensed patents from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research for antibodies that target a key part of the inflammatory process.

The agreement also gives Zenyth access to antibodies and reagents developed by a team of researchers in the Ludwig Institute's Melbourne branch.

The patented mouse antibodies target the receptor for the cytokine granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). G-CSF and its receptor regulate the production of key inflammatory cells in the blood. These inflammatory cells can cause diseases such as arthritis, psoriasis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

"This license allows us to secure intellectual property around antibodies that target the G-CSF receptor and also provides us with reagents or therapeutic products potentially down the track," said Zenyth's business development director, Serge Scrofani. For example, a therapeutic could be developed by humanising the mouse antibodies, he said.

The in-licensing deal with the Ludwig follows a recent announcement that Zenyth and unlisted Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) spinout MuriGen Therapeutics are to co-develop therapeutic antibodies that target arthritis and other inflammatory diseases based on the G-CSF findings.

Scientists at WEHI recently demonstrated that blocking G-CSF activity can have a profound impact on the development of inflammatory disease in animal models of arthritis. WEHI lodged a patent application in relation to these results, and that patent has been exclusively licensed to MuriGen.

"The technology we have licensed from the Ludwig supports our collaboration with MuriGen and provides us with a great opportunity to rapidly develop a therapeutic antibody targeting G-CSF activity," said CEO Andrew Nash.