Knoubis Bio Inc

Bispecific Biologic for Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy - Abstract This Proposal Is Focused on Development of a Novel Bispecific Biologic Therapy for Ra by Targeting the Transmembrane Tyrosine Phosphatase Ptprs Through Its Extracellular Region. the Development of Immunosuppressant Disease-modifying Anti-rheumatic Agents (DMARDS) Has Dramatically Improved the Quality of Life of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Patients, However a Large Proportion of Patients Fails to Reach Sufficient Control of Disease Activity on the Currently Available Ra Medications. There Is a Need for Therapies for Ra That Can Enhance Efficacy of Current Dmards. to Address This Need, We Are Seeking to Target Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes, Which Are Local Joint-lining Cells That Substantially Contribute to Joint Destruction During Ra. Our Company Knoubis Bio Has Identified the Transmembrane Phosphatase Ptprs as a Novel Target for Synoviocyte-directed Ra Therapy. We Have Evidence That Disrupting the Interaction Between Ptprs and Its Extracellular Ligand Syndecan- 4 Reduces Synoviocyte Invasiveness and Inflammatory Arthritis in Preclinical Models Without Causing Immunosuppression. Here, We Will Develop a Bispecific Biologic That Dually Targets Ptprs and Acts as a Dmard as a Novel Biologic Therapy for Ra. We Will Pursue the Following Specific Aims: 1) to Perform Pharmacokinetics Studies of the Biologic in Mice and 2) to Demonstrate the Bispecific Biologic Displays Superior Efficacy Compared to Its Single Components in a Mouse Model of Inflammatory Arthritis. This Project Addresses a Major Unmet Medical Need in Ra, the Need for Improved Therapies for Controlling Disease Activity. Once We Obtain Proof-of- Concept Data During This Phase I Project, We Will Apply for Phase Ii Funding to Further Develop the Bispecific Biologic and Characterize Its Preclinical Efficacy and Safety.