InNexus Biotechnology Inc. (TSX.V: IXS) (www.ixsbio.com), a drug development company commercializing the next generation of antibodies based on its groundbreaking Dynamic Cross Linking (DXL™) technology, today announced the development of a new psoriasis product based on its proprietary dermal permeating Transmab™ technology.
Scientists at InNexus have designed and produced by recombinant technology, a novel antibody product directed at treatment of psoriasis, an autoimmune skin disease. The product, designated IXSCD11a, is being formulated for topical use either as a lotion or in patches to be applied to affected areas. IXSCD11a is an antibody fragment based on InNexus’ Transmab technology that penetrates cell membranes and dermal barriers. IXSCD11a has shown significant increase in cell penetration compared to other products targeting psoriasis.
Dr. Thomas Kindt, InNexus’ CSO, said, “The target bound by the antibody fragment is a cell surface molecule involved in inflammation, which is a factor in the development of psoriasis, as well as a number of other autoimmune conditions. It binds the CD11a receptor that is key to the immune cell-cell interactions that lead to inflammatory processes causative of the painful and disfiguring psoriatic lesions. A full-length antibody product previously marketed by another company with specificity for this receptor was used successfully for treatment of the most serious forms of psoriasis, but was withdrawn due to incidences of fatal brain infection caused by systemic immunosuppression. IXSCD11a was designed to circumvent this side effect because low molecular weight antibody fragments do not persist in circulation long enough to mediate systemic immune suppression. In contrast to full-length antibodies that persist in the bloodstream with half-lives of 18-24 days, antibody fragments like IXSCD11a are eliminated within three hours. Immune-suppressive activity of IXSCD11a is likely to be confined to the region of application and eliminated rapidly.”