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Ossianix Receives Grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation to Advance TXP1 Brain Shuttle for Delivering TrkB Agonist Antibody in Parkinson’s Disease Therapy

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 16:56:23 GMT

Stevenage, UK – 9 January 2025 – Ossianix Inc., an antibody discovery and engineering company with a CNS focus, has been awarded a US$1.26 million grant by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to advance its innovative approach to Parkinson’s disease (PD) treatment. This funding will support Ossianix’s development of a brain-penetrant TrkB agonist antibody, which is a potent neuroprotection agent with the potential to modify disease progression in PD.

The project leverages Ossianix’s proprietary TXP1 Brain Shuttle technology to deliver a TrkB agonist antibody across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a major obstacle for central nervous system (CNS) therapies. Through this approach, Ossianix aims to offer a novel therapeutic solution to PD patients by achieving efficient drug delivery to the brain, enabling neuroprotection with a potentially transformative impact on disease progression.

Ossianix’s TXP1 Brain Shuttle was developed through its innovative platform and validated in vivo for efficient delivery of a variety of therapeutic modalities across the BBB. Preliminary data for the TrkB agonist antibody-Brain Shuttle fusion suggest promising neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons, which are critically impacted in PD. Ossianix aims to advance this program through pre-clinical development, with an ambitious goal to accelerate clinical translation and deliver a highly anticipated disease-modifying therapy to PD patients.

The MJFF grant was awarded through its “Parkinson’s Disease Therapeutics Pipeline Program,” which supports pre-clinical and clinical development of therapies addressing unmet needs for people with PD. This program prioritizes treatments with clear potential to prevent, stop, or delay disease progression or to reduce the burden of daily symptoms.

Frank S. Walsh, Chief Executive Officer of Ossianix, said: “ We are delighted to be working with The Michael J. Fox Foundation whose goals we share of fostering innovative Parkinson’s disease research, enhancing understanding of the disease, and developing targeted therapies. Our approach using TrkB antibodies promises to be transformational as they exhibit profound neuroprotective effects in vivo .”

" The Michael J. Fox Foundation funds a diverse range of innovative approaches targeting validated pathways in PD, aiming to slow, stop or ultimately cure disease progression," said Jessica Tome Garcia, PhD, senior scientific portfolio manager, MJFF . “Supporting Ossianix's TrkB agonist antibody work is a meaningful step in advancing our understanding of this therapeutic approach for people with Parkinson’s disease.”

Attralus and Ossianix Announce an Option and License Agreement using the TXP1 Brain Shuttle for Targeted Delivery of AT-04, a Pan-Amyloid Removal Therapeutic, for Neurodegenerative Disorders

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO, PHILADELPHIA – Nov. 17, 2022 – Attralus, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing transformative medicines to improve the lives of patients with amyloidosis, and Ossianix, an antibody engineering company developing a single domain antibody platform (VNARs) to deliver molecules across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement using Ossianix' brain shuttle technology to enhance the targeted delivery of novel pan-amyloid removal candidates for use in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease.

Under the terms of the agreement, Attralus will use the patented VNAR antibody developed by Ossianix to help deliver AT-04, its developmental pan-amyloid removal (PAR) therapeutic candidate, across the BBB to the brain.

"Encouraging preclinical data for AT-04 indicates that it potently binds to all types of amyloid, including synthetic fibrils composed of Ab, tau, and a-synuclein, pathologic aggregates common to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's," said Gregory Bell, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Attralus. "The addition of the TXP1 brain shuttle has the potential to significantly improve CNS penetration and efficacy. While most therapies in development target individual pathologies, such as Ab, tau or a-synuclein, AT-04 can target all amyloid pathologies in each patient and has the potential to transform the lives of patients living with neurodegenerative disorders."

AT-04, a peptibody, is a fusion of the Company's PAR-peptide technology with the fragment crystallizable region (Fc) component of an immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody. The latest preclinical data for AT-04 demonstrate potent binding to multiple types of amyloid, as well as Ab, tau, and a-synuclein fibrils in neurodegenerative disorders. This interaction can induce phagocytosis, which is anticipated to lead to clearance from the body.

"We are very excited to be working with Attralus and combining Ossianix' patented VNAR antibody-based brain shuttle TXP1, which is capable of delivering high levels of therapeutic products to the central nervous system utilizing the transferrin receptor, with their novel pan-amyloid removal technology," said Dr. Frank Walsh, CEO of Ossianix. "We look forward to developing a successful collaborative relationship with Attralus.”

About AT-04 PAR Therapeutic

AT-04 is a fusion of our pan amyloid removal (PAR) peptide technology with the Fc component of a human IgG1 antibody. The PAR-peptide mediates binding to all types of amyloid as well as Aß, tau, and α-synuclein fibrils. The Fc stimulates the immune system to remove amyloid.

About the TXP1 Brain Shuttle

Ossianix’ brain shuttle platform is based on single domain VNAR antibodies and TXP1 is the most advanced brain shuttle ready for clinical translation. TXP1 was developed to be paired with CNS drug candidates to improve their brain penetration and therapeutic efficacy, while also potentially reducing dosing and side effects.

About Neurodegenerative Disease

Extracellular aggregates of Ab amyloid and phosphorylated tau are common pathologic deposits in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The removal of Ab amyloid plaques is an intensively pursued therapeutic target for the treatment of AD, with one FDA approved therapeutic. Preventing the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau, and perhaps removal of the aggregates, may prevent progression of AD and may potentially reverse cognitive decline. In addition, α-synuclein is believed to play a role in Parkinson’s disease, Dementia, and Lewy Body diseases.

About Attralus

Attralus is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on creating transformative medicines to improve the lives of patients with systemic amyloidosis. The company’s proprietary pan-amyloid removal (PAR) therapeutics are designed to directly bind to and remove toxic amyloid in organs and tissues. By targeting the universal disease-causing pathology in systemic amyloidosis diseases, PAR therapeutics have the potential to treat and reverse disease in patients with all types and stages of systemic amyloidosis. Attralus was founded by scientific experts in the field of amyloidosis and the company is headquartered in San Francisco.

Ossianix to Present Preclinical Data Demonstrating Best-in-Class Blood Brain Barrier Delivery in Non-Human Primates by Single Domain VNAR Antibodies

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT

-Over 30-Fold Increase in Hippocampus Observed

-Results Promising for Delivery of Biological Therapeutics for Neurologic Diseases

-Results to be Presented at Protein & Antibody Engineering Summit - Europe

Stevenage, UK, November 9, 2020 – Ossianix, an antibody engineering company, today announced the results of a non-human primate study demonstrating best-in-class blood-brain barrier (BBB) delivery by single domain antibodies. The Ossianix proprietary VNAR shuttle TXP1 showed efficient transfer into all six regions of the brain examined, with the hippocampus showing an over 30-fold increase in levels of the molecule compared to the control. The TXP1 shuttle was administered at a dose of 1.35 mg/kg by intravenous injection and reached a concentration of 4 nM in the brain after 20 hours. These data will be presented at the Virtual PEGS Summit Europe meeting on November 11 at 15:40 GMT.

Poor brain delivery is a major barrier in the development of biological therapeutics for neurologic diseases because they are too large to cross the BBB. Developing efficient shuttles that target key transporters such as the transferrin receptor is a necessary step in delivering therapeutic levels of biologic drugs. The VNAR shuttle is a single domain antibody derived from sharks that is significantly smaller than monoclonal antibodies used today as therapeutics.

Previous preclinical studies demonstrated that the TXB2 shuttle, which targets the transferrin receptor, transferred a variety of protein cargoes including antibodies at low therapeutic doses to the central nervous system (CNS) by crossing the BBB, producing high levels in the brain with no safety issues in the mouse model. The observed long plasma pharmacokinetics and lack of side effects such as reticulocyte depletion are differentiating features of the VNAR shuttles.

“These latest results of our VNAR antibody BBB delivery are a truly exciting advancement in our quest to overcome the blood-brain barrier for CNS therapies,” said Ossianix CEO Frank S. Walsh, PhD. “Our first-generation TXB2 shuttle showed the ability of VNAR for high level CNS delivery, and the TXP1 shuttle allows efficient translation to primates, enabling a fast route to human clinical trials. This versatile TXP1 shuttle is indeed best-in-class as it operates at the dosing range of biologics in humans.” New paragraph

Ossianix awarded Pennsylvanian Wolf Administration Award to develop COVID-19 vaccine.

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 14:15:23 GMT

https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/wolf-administration-awards-10-million-to-23-entities-to-develop-effective-covid-19-vaccines-treatments-and-therapies/

Governor Tom Wolf announced that 23 awardees will receive $10 million in grant funding through the COVID-19 Vaccines, Treatments and Therapies (CV-VTT) program to support the rapid advancement of vaccines, treatments and therapies by qualified biotechnology entities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of the 23 projects, $6.8 million was awarded to 12 vaccine projects, nearly $1.2 million was awarded to five therapy projects, nearly $1.6 million was awarded to five treatment projects, and $430,000 was awarded to a project that will support the build out of physical infrastructure, advancing the development of leading edge innovations in the fight against SARS-CoV-2.

Ossianix is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by developing therapeutic single domain VNAR antibodies to the COVID-19 spike protein.

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 09:33:06 GMT

Ossianix is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by developing therapeutic single domain VNAR antibodies to the COVID-19 spike protein.

The current COVID-19 pandemic is a healthcare catastrophe of global proportion. There are no treatments for the disease and a vaccine will take time to develop. Therefore, additional novel immunological approaches need to be considered for therapeutic development. Passive immunization via antibodies that target and neutralize the virus are attractive options. There are already early reports of antibodies cloned from B cells of infected individuals, as well as monoclonal antibodies developed from humanized mice.

A novel approach being pioneered at Ossianix uses its patented VNAR phage display libraries to identify single domain antibodies with high affinity and specificity against the COVID-19 spike protein. The spike protein is the site of attachment of the virus with its cellular receptor ACE-2 and blockade at that site will neutralize its activity.

Single domain VNAR antibodies have large CDR3 binding domains that preferentially bind cavities and buried epitopes in proteins. These are often the sites of protein-protein interactions. It is thus highly likely that screening of the multi-isoform and [HKC1] highly complex VNAR libraries will identify hits that will be different from those isolated from human B cells. Once identified, VNAR single domain antibodies can then be developed to block these sites. Certain VNAR antibodies that bind to the transferrin receptor have also shown the capability to specifically target the lung in rodents and non-human primates. These VNARs can be fused to antibodies or other therapeutics creating bispecific biologics for targeted delivery.

The screening campaign against the COVID-19 spike protein at Ossianix is advancing rapidly and we hope to announce the results to the scientific community over the coming weeks.

Ossianix wishes to partner after this screening stage with interested parties in government, academia or biotech and pharma companies to develop the virus blocking VNAR antibodies and move the project to a therapeutic reality in the shortest possible time.

Ossianix contact: Dr Frank S Walsh CEO (walsh@ossianix.com).

Ossianix - Novo Nordisk Press Release

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Ossianix and Novo Nordisk sign Research and Option Agreement on Blood Brain Barrier delivery technology for proteins in diabetes and other metabolic diseases

PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA: Ossianix, Inc. today announced a research collaboration and option agreement with Novo Nordisk to deliver therapeutic molecules in diabetes and other metabolic diseases across the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) to the brain.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ossianix will use its patented single domain VNAR antibodies to deliver a predefined number of therapeutic agents of Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk will be responsible for the development and commercialization of the therapeutic products.

You can read the full press release here

Ossianix Featured in Bold Business

183:726751761 (Krzysztof Wicher) — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 11:35:49 GMT

Ossianix was featured in the “Mini-Antibodies In Shark, Camel Blood Are Creating New Drugs.” article in the Bold Business.

You can read it here .

Ossianix gets mentioned in Science Magazine

183:726751761 (Krzysztof Wicher) — Mon, 14 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT

"Researchers have discovered that camels, llamas, sharks, and a few other animals produce unusually small antibodies. Discovered by accident, these molecules appear to have an important role in the animals' defense against pathogens, although exactly how they provide protection isn't clear. Because they are durable, easy to make, and versatile, the molecules, and even smaller fragments of them that are often called antibodies, are proving themselves as research tools. Scientists have used them to stabilize proteins during crystallography studies, to manipulate proteins inside cells, and to perform other tasks that conventional antibodies aren't suited for. Small antibodies and nanobodies are also being studied as potential treatments for diseases such as cancer, as imaging agents, and for diagnostic testing. The first nanobody-based drug, which targets a clotting disorder, could be approved this year. "

Science 11 May 2018:

Vol. 360, Issue 6389, pp. 594-597

DOI: 10.1126/science.360.6389.594

Click here for a full article

Biopharma Reporter on our BBB-shuttle technology

Sun, 29 Jan 2017 23:11:00 GMT

http://www.biopharma-reporter.com/Bio-Developments/Lundbeck-banks-on-shark-Ab-delivery-tech-to-cross...

Reuters and FierceBiotech on Ossianix-Lundbeck partnership

Fri, 27 Jan 2017 20:37:00 GMT

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-h-lundbeck-sharks-idUSKBN15A1OY

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/lundbeck-inks-deal-for-bbb-crossing-shark-antibody-assets

Financial Times coverage on Ossianix – Lundbeck collaboration

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 10:26:00 GMT

FT Online edition ( download the PDF version).

PDF version of the Financial Times Article Jan 27th 2017

Berlingske – Danish newspaper coverage on Ossianix – Lundbeck collaboration

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 09:37:00 GMT

Download the PDF version of the article (in Danish) here .

Ossianix receives milestone payment from Lundbeck for blood-brain barrier (BBB) antibody delivery technology

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 00:01:00 GMT

Shark antibody technology has potential to deliver therapeutics across previously impermeable BBB

26 January 2017 – PHILADELPHIA, USA & STEVENAGE, UK : Ossianix Inc., which has generated a world leading platform for delivering biotherapeutic products into the CNS using the highly versatile single domain VNAR antibody from the shark, has received a milestone payment from Lundbeck following the successful completion of the objectives from a 2014 research collaboration agreement. The project focused on both technology development and the delivery of antibody therapeutics to the brain via the BBB. Financial terms of the milestone payment were not disclosed.

The highly versatile single domain VNAR antibody from the shark underpins Ossianix’s proprietary BBB-crossing technology. By fusing an antibody that targets a molecule in the brain to a VNAR that binds to the BBB transferrin receptor, the therapeutic protein can be shuttled across the barrier. Once inside the brain, it binds to its drug target. This “Trojan Horse” approach has many favorable characteristics including the ability to deliver bispecific antibodies to the brain at therapeutic doses and can be used in multiple species including humans.

Dr. Frank Walsh, Ossianix CEO, said: “ Ossianix is delighted that Lundbeck, a global leader in neuroscience drug discovery and development, has recognized the potential of our blood-brain barrier delivery technology and taken a license for the development of a number of CNS products. Our technology platform is highly versatile and can deliver high levels of therapeutically relevant antibodies to the brain, providing a new approach to the treatment of neurologic disease. ”

Dr. Kim Andersen, Senior Vice President of Global Research at Lundbeck said: “ Ossianix has generated a world leading platform for delivering antibodies and potentially other drug agents into the brain with significant potential to benefit patients with diseases in the central nervous system ”.

About Ossianix

Ossianix is a privately held research company based in Philadelphia, PA with research laboratories in Stevenage, UK. It develops novel biopharmaceuticals for a number of therapeutic areas including CNS. The company utilizes the versatile single domain shark VNAR scaffold to engineer unique differentiated products in a variety of formats including monospecific and bispecific antibodies. Its lead product is a brain penetrant CD20 antibody for multiple sclerosis and cerebral lymphoma. The company was founded by former senior executives from Wyeth and Pfizer, Drs. Frank S. Walsh, Corey S. Goodman and J. Lynn Rutkowski. For more information please visit www.ossianix.com .

Corporate Contact:
Frank S Walsh CEO
+1-484-767-2843
+44-7722455831
walsh@ossianix.com

About Lundbeck

Lundbeck A/S (LUN.CO, LUN DC, HLUYY) is a global pharmaceutical company specialized in psychiatric and neurological disorders. For more than 70 years, Lundbeck has been at the forefront of research within neuroscience. Lundbeck’s key areas of focus are depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
An estimated 700 million people worldwide are living with psychiatric and neurological disorders and far too many suffer due to inadequate treatment, discrimination, a reduced number of working days, early retirement and other unnecessary consequences.
Lundbeck’s approximately 5,000 employees in 55 countries are engaged in the entire value chain throughout research, development, manufacturing, marketing and sales. Lundbeck’s pipeline consists of several late-stage development programmes and our products are available in more than 100 countries. Lundbeck generated core revenue of DKK 14.6 billion in 2015 (EUR 2 billion; USD 2.2 billion).
For additional information, Lundbeck encourages you to visit our corporate site www.lundbeck.com and connect with us on Twitter at @Lundbeck.

Download a PDF version of this press release here .

Ossianix presented a poster at the CSHL meeting on Blood Brain Barrier 2016

Sat, 10 Dec 2016 22:36:00 GMT

Ossianix presented a poster “ High efficiency BBB transport using a VNAR to the transferrin receptor (TfR1) selected by in vivo phage display ” at the Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory 2016 meeting on Blood Brain Barrier.

You can download a PDF version of the poster here .

Our presentation at the GTC Boston Protein Discovery Summit

Wed, 07 Dec 2016 11:39:00 GMT

Ossianix had a presentation “ High-efficiency brain delivery of rituximab by fusion to an anti-TfR1 VNAR for MS and CNS lymphoma ” at the GTC Boston Protein Discovery Summit 2016.

You can download the abstract here .

Ossianix presents at PEGS Europe 2016

Sat, 05 Nov 2016 22:42:00 GMT

Ossianix presents a poster “ Combined in vivo/in vitro methods for selecting VNARs that shuttle large molecules across the blood brain barrier ” and a talk “ Delivery of CD20 (Rituximab)-Transferrin Receptor VNAR Bispecific Antibody to the Brain for Treatment of MS and Brain Cancer ” at the Protein and Antibody Engineering Summit Europe 2016 in Lisbon.

You can download poster here .

Ossianix publishes a research article

Sat, 25 Jun 2016 17:01:00 GMT

We published a research article in Molecular Immunology. Highlights: VNARs to BAFF with low nM potency were isolated from a semi-synthetic phage library. The CDR3 regions contain a conserved DXL motif found in all three BAFF receptors. VNARs to BAFF block B cell proliferation in response to either human or mouse BAFF. A chimeric VNAR-Fc […]

We published a research article in Molecular Immunology.

Highlights:

To read more access it online here .

OSSIANIX USES SHARK-DERIVED ANTIBODIES TO CROSS THE BBB

Fri, 01 Apr 2016 11:02:00 GMT

NeuroInsights 1 ^st February 2016

Ossianix was founded in 2012 by Frank Walsh, Corey Goodman and Lynn Rutkowski, distinguished neuroscientists with extensive academic careers and senior level experience in the pharmaceutical industry. NeuroInsights caught up with Ossianix’s CEO Frank Walsh to discuss their innovative approach to crossing the blood-brain barrier.

During Walsh’s tenure at Wyeth, it became apparent to him that biological approaches to CNS diseases would represent the next-generation therapeutics. He became particularly interested in the first antibody molecule that appeared in evolution in fish, the single-domain variable regions of shark antibodies (VNRA). It is because of their small structure and its ability to bind different molecules, which Walsh and his team felt that it could address the problem that the BBB represents for delivery of therapeutics to the brain.

The team searched for strategies to deliver therapeutics to the brain and kept coming back to the transferrin receptor, a well-characterized receptor that delivers iron to the brain in the form of transferrin. Other groups had tried utilizing this receptor for similar purposes, but these groups used existing, off-the-shelf antibodies that were not designed to approach the BBB problem but were mostly anti-cancer agents. Walsh shares, “We felt this was a target worthy of studying. We used our in-house developed large phage-display libraries and we were able, via a screening approach, to come up with a family of binders to the transferrin receptor”.

The work to develop next-generation candidates added the features of cross-species binding and specificity to the transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1). The candidates then bind specifically the transferrin receptor, have a VNRA binding module and attached to it an antibody, can be delivered to the brain at therapeutic levels and be used in both rodents and humans. Walsh sums up “The ability to cross species, the fact that we have no effect on reticulocytes due to the specificity to the TFR1, and there is also no interaction with the transferrin binding site, has led a suite of binders that we are now using to target a variety of antibodies to the CNS. By making the antibodies bispecific, we can deliver therapeutic levels into the brain even with a single dose injection with a long-lasting effect up to 72 hours.” The results have been fruitful thus far and Ossianix has been able to show that using the targeting BACE1, they can get the antibody into the brain and reduce the levels of amyloid beta. They are now also looking into delivery of enzymes to treat lysosomal storage diseases and delivery of growth factors.

The company is pursuing their own targets and actively partnering with other companies. The two main internal projects are an anti-CD20 antibody for multiple sclerosis (MS) and CNS lymphoma, and a neurodegeneration project. The anti-CD20 antibody Rituxan has the ability to deplete B-cells. Ossianix has made Rituxan bispecific to deliver it to the brain for MS and CNS lymphoma. In MS, B-lymphocytes get into the brain and set up destructive ectopic B-cell follicles, leading to neurodegeneration. Walsh explains, “We believe that one of the causes for neurodegeneration is attack in the brain by B-lymphocytes, and there are no therapies that currently address this aspect of the disease.” The company has achieved proof-of-concept that they can deliver bispecific Rituxan to the brain and expect to have candidate in twelve months that can then be advanced to IND.

In their neurodegeneration project, Ossianix is targeting both amyloid beta and tau together at the same time. They have already made constructs and expect to have candidates in the next two years.

Ossianix is getting a lot of interest from the pharmaceutical industry. They have established a collaboration with Lundbeck focusing on two proprietary neurodegeneration targets and have delivered several versions of the antibodies for these targets, which are now in Lundbeck’s hands under in vivo investigations. Walsh shares, “We expect in 2016 to announce at least two deals with major pharmaceutical companies to deliver biological therapeutics to the brain.” The company also has an interest in orphan rare diseases, and Walsh indicates that is an area where they will most likely partner with other companies that are already pursuing therapies for these indications.

The company’s strategy over the next twelve months will be focused on establishing successful partnerships. At this time they are not planning to raise funds but this may change next year.

One of Ossianix’s strengths is their interaction with renowned academic institutions. Wash is a visiting professor at King’s College, and works closely with the university. They also collaborate with Royal Holloway University of London and with the University of Maryland. Walsh indicates that through these collaborations and with their stable financial position, they have the flexibility to move the company in different directions.

Walsh sees a bright future for neuropharma, “With a greater understand of disease mechanisms, the input from genome association studies, and other scientific developments, we will have a new set of therapeutics.” Ossianix is also developing VNARs to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with funding from The ALS Association, and Walsh is certain that these efforts will yield results. He closes saying, “There are some quick wins out there in the delivery of therapeutic biological to the CNS. We are set to accomplish this.”

Ossianix presents at the BBB at CSHL meeting on Blood Brain Barrier 2015

Wed, 25 Feb 2015 23:11:00 GMT

Ossianix presents breakthrough data on single domain VNARs to the transferrin receptor that cross the BBB at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Blood Brain barrier meeting

Download our poster here .

Ossianix Expands and Extends its Research Collaboration with Lundbeck on CNS Therapeutics 16 December 2014

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 10:21:00 GMT

PHILADELPHIA, PA: Ossianix, Inc. today announced an expansion and extension of its strategic research collaboration with H. Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck). This collaboration follows a previous equity investment in 2012 and prior research collaboration in 2013. The collaboration will use Ossianix’s innovative single domain antibody platform based on the shark VNAR structure to deliver next generation CNS biotherapeutics.
Ossianix’s has developed a novel Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) targeting technology for the delivery of biopharmaceuticals including antibodies to treat CNS disorders. The BBB platform technology part of the agreement, gives Lundbeck access to a patented suite of cross species reactive VNAR tools that allow tailoring of products to individual therapeutic needs. Ossianix will work with Lundbeck on multiple targets aligned with Lundbeck’s therapeutic goals. The collaboration will additionally continue to work on the ligand-gated P2X3 ion channel expressed on sensory neurons for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Lundbeck will fund the research plan with development and regulatory milestones and a joint research committee will manage the projects. A third component of the agreement provides an additional equity investment for Ossianix to advance it own therapeutic programs.
Dr. Frank Walsh, Ossianix CEO, stated: “ Lundbeck has been a partner and supporter of Ossianix since 2012. The significant progress we have made in the last year in developing innovative approaches to developing targeted CNS biotherapeutics and in approaching difficult membrane-associated targets has convinced Lundbeck to continue to work with us in a highly collaborative way. We look forward to further moving products toward the clinic in the next phase.”

Kim Andersen, Senior Vice President of Global Research at Lundbeck said: “ We are pleased to continue the collaboration with Ossianix. The delivery of biopharmaceuticals across the BBB remains a key area for us and we hope that with Ossianix we can make leaps forward for the benefit of patients suffering from brain diseases”

About Ossianix
Ossianix is a privately held research company based in Philadelphia, PA with research laboratories in the UK. It develops novel biopharmaceuticals for a number of therapeutic areas including CNS. The company utilizes the versatile single domain shark VNAR scaffold to engineer unique differentiated products in a variety of formats including monospecific and bispecifics. The company was founded by former senior executives from Wyeth and Pfizer, Drs. Frank S. Walsh, Corey S. Goodman and J. Lynn Rutkowski. Ossianix is currently funded by Lundbeck, BioAdvance and other angel investors as well as non-dilutive grants. For more information please visit www.ossianix.com .
Corporate Contact:
Frank S Walsh CEO
+1-484-767-2843
walsh@ossianix.com

About Lundbeck
H. Lundbeck A/S (LUN.CO, LUN DC, HLUYY) is a global pharmaceutical company specialized in brain diseases. For more than 50 years, we have been at the forefront of research within neuroscience. Our key areas of focus are alcohol dependence, Alzheimer’s disease, bipolar disorder, depression/anxiety, epilepsy, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, stroke and symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH). An estimated 700 million people worldwide are living with brain disease and far too many suffer due to inadequate treatment, discrimination, a reduced number of working days, early retirement and other unnecessary consequences. Every day, we strive for improved treatment and a better life for people living with brain disease – we call this Progress in Mind.
Read more at www.lundbeck.com/global/about-us/progress-in-mind .
Our approximately 6,000 employees in 57 countries are engaged in the entire value chain throughout research, development, production, marketing and sales. Our pipeline consists of several late-stage development programmes and our products are available in more 100 countries. We have research centres in China, Denmark and the United States and production facilities in China, Denmark, France and Italy. Lundbeck generated revenue of approximately DKK15.3 billion in 2013 (EUR2.1 billion; USD2.7 billion).
For additional information, we encourage you to visit our corporate site www.lundbeck.com .

About BioAdvance
BioAdvance is a leading early-stage life sciences investor, with investments in 62 life science start-up companies and academic technologies. To date eleven portfolio companies have had an exit and almost $1.8B in follow-on capital (including M&A) has been attracted. The BioAdvance portfolio companies are developing 70 products to treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and infectious disease, and seven products have been approved by the FDA to date.
For more information or to apply for funding please visit www.bioadvance.com .
BioAdvance Contact:
Jennifer Smith
+1-610-230-0645
jsmith@bioadvance.com

BioCentury 28 September 2014: OSSIANIX: SHARK TEETH

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 07:51:00 GMT

Read full article: Biocentury 28 Sept 2014

Ossianix Announces Strategic Research Collaboration with Lundbeck

Wed, 09 Jul 2014 14:29:00 GMT

http://medcitynews.com/2014/01/shark-model-drug-delivery-drives-collaboration-biopharma-startup-lundbeck/

Science center-housed biotech startup ossianix a shark of innovation, hiring 10

Wed, 09 Jul 2014 14:28:00 GMT

http://www.flyingkitemedia.com/innovationnews/ossianix0117.aspx

Ossianix Announces Strategic Research Collaboration with Lundbeck

Mon, 13 Jan 2014 13:11:00 GMT

7thJanuary 2014
PHILADELPHIA, PA: Ossianix, Inc. today announced a strategic research collaboration with Lundbeck A/S. This collaboration follows a previous investment in 2012. The collaboration uses Ossianix’s innovative single domain antibody platform based on the shark VNAR structure and will focus on two projects.

The first project will further develop Ossianix’s VNAR antagonists targeting an ion channel for the treatment of pain. The second project utilizes Ossianix’s Blood Brain Barrier targeting technology for the development of bispecific biopharmaceuticals to treat CNS disorders. The Ossianix platform has the advantage of targeting antibodies to the CNS where existing antibodies have proven less than ideal due to poor bioavailability. Lundbeck will fund the research plan with development and regulatory milestones.

Dr. Frank Walsh, Ossianix CEO, stated: “We are pleased to continue and extend our strategic relationship with Lundbeck. The VNAR platform has shown its potential in isolating potent and specific biopharmaceuticals to difficult drug targets and in developing strategies for CNS drug delivery. We will now proceed in partnership with Lundbeck with the goal of moving products to the clinic.”

Dr. Kim Andersen, Vice President of Research for Lundbeck, said: “We at Lundbeck have been impressed by the progress Ossianix has made following our initial investment and we look forward to a further productive relationship. This will allow us to develop novel biopharmaceuticals for very difficult CNS drug targets.”

About Ossianix

Ossianix is a privately held research company based in Philadelphia, PA with research laboratories in the UK. It develops novel biopharmaceuticals for a number of therapeutic areas including CNS. The company utilizes the versatile single domain shark VNAR scaffold to engineer unique differentiated products in a variety of formats including monospecific and bispecifics. The company was founded by two former senior executives from Wyeth and Pfizer, Drs. Frank S. Walsh and Corey S. Goodman. Ossianix is currently funded by Lundbeck, BioAdvance and other angel investors as well as non-dilutive grants.

Corporate Contact:
Frank S Walsh CEO
+1-484-767-2843
walsh@ossianix.com

About Lundbeck

H. Lundbeck A/S (LUN.CO, LUN DC, HLUYY) is a global pharmaceutical company highly committed to improving the quality of life of people living with brain diseases. For this purpose, Lundbeck is engaged in the entire value chain throughout research, development, production, marketing and sales of pharmaceuticals across the world. The company’s products are targeted at disorders such as depression and anxiety, psychotic disorders, epilepsy, Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Lundbeck’s pipeline consists of several mid- to late- stage development programs.

Lundbeck employs more than 5,800 people worldwide, 2,000 of whom are based in Denmark. With employees in 57 countries and products which are registered in more than 100 countries, Lundbeck has research centers in Denmark, China and the United States and production facilities in Italy, France, Mexico, China and Denmark. Lundbeck generated revenue of approximately DKK 15 billion in 2012.

For additional information, please visit www.lundbeck.com .

About BioAdvance

BioAdvance is a leading early-stage life sciences investor, with over $24MM committed to 57 life science start-up companies and academic technologies. To date ten portfolio companies have been acquired and almost $1.6B in follow-on capital (including M&A) has been attracted. The BioAdvance portfolio companies are developing 60 products to treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and infectious disease, and seven products have been approved by the FDA to date.

For more information or to apply for funding please visit www.bioadvance.com .

BioAdvance Contact:
Jennifer Smith
+1-610-230-0645
jsmith@bioadvance.com

Ossianix Announces Lundbeck Investment

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:18:00 GMT

3 January 2012
PHILADELPHIA, PA: Ossianix, Inc. today announced a strategic investment by H. Lundbeck A/S in the form of a Convertible Promissory Note. The proceeds from Lundbeck’s investment is expected to allow Ossianix to generate biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of nervous system disorders by utilizing Ossianix’s proprietary single domain antibody platform modeled on the shark vNAR structure. This will potentially give access to the development of novel differentiated CNS products. Lundbeck will retain the right to negotiate for certain products and technologies arising from the research at Ossianix.

“Lundbeck is a recognized leader in producing drugs for neurological and psychiatric disorders. We are very pleased that Lundbeck via this investment has chosen to further extend their involvement in the emerging field of biotherapeutics for CNS disorders,” said Frank S. Walsh, CEO of Ossianix. “We also welcome Peter Høngaard Andersen, Senior Vice President, External Scientific Relations to the Board of Directors of Ossianix and we will benefit immensely from his wide experience within both Pharma and Biotech.”
Peter Høngaard Andersen said, “We at Lundbeck look forward to following the development of Ossianix’s exciting new technology. We wish to develop our biologics portfolio further and Ossianix’s technology has the potential to tailor the power of the single domain antibodies to a variety of unique drug targets.”

About Ossianix

Ossianix is a privately held biopharmaceutical company based in Philadelphia, PA that develops novel biopharmaceuticals for a variety of therapeutic areas. The company utilizes the versatile single domain shark vNAR scaffold to engineer unique differentiated products in a variety of formats. Two former senior executives from Wyeth and Pfizer, Frank S. Walsh and Corey S. Goodman, formed the company in 2011. Ossianix is currently funded by BioAdvance and the ALS Association. For more information please visit www.ossianix.com.

For further information please contact:
Ossianix, Inc.
Dr. Frank S. Walsh, CEO
Tel: 484-767-2843
walsh@ossianix.com

About Lundbeck

H. Lundbeck A/S (LUN.CO, LUNDC, HLUKY) is an international pharmaceutical company highly committed to improving quality of like for people suffering from CNS disorders. For this purpose Lundbeck is engaged in the research, development, production, marketing and sales of pharmaceuticals across the world. The company’s products are targeted at disorders such as depression and anxiety, schizophrenia, insomnia, epilepsy and Huntingdon’s, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Lundbeck was founded in 1915 by Hans Lundbeck in Copenhagen Denmark. Today Lundbeck employs approximately 5,900 people worldwide. Lundbeck is one of the worlds leading companies working with CNS disorders. In 2010 the company’s revenue was DKK 14.8 billion (approximately EUR 2.0 billion or USD 2.6 billion).

For more information please visit www.lundbeck.com .

About BioAdvance

Through its Greenhouse Fund, BioAdvance, has committed $20 million in 49 life science start-up companies and academic technologies. BioAdvance investments have enabled its portfolio companies to leverage $1.4 billion in follow-on capital and M&A valuations. To date, seven BioAdvance portfolio companies have been acquired and an eighth has gone public (Nupathe:PATH). The BioAdvance portfolio companies are developing 60 products to treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and infectious diseases.

For more information or to apply for funding please visit www.bioadvance.com .

BioAdvance Contact:
Jennifer Smith, 610-230-0645
jsmith@bioadvance.com