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About Multimeric Biotherapeutics
Multimeric Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a product-focused biotechnology company based on a proven platform technology for expressing the 19 members of the TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) SuperFamily (TNFSF) of ligand molecules as multimeric (many-trimer) soluble proteins with enhanced activity ("UltraLigands"). The lead compound, UltraCD40L, is a fusion protein formed by linking Surfactant Protein D (SP-D) and CD40 ligand (CD40L), resulting in a 4-trimer form of CD40L that is highly immunostimulatory. In preclinical studies, this protein has been shown to be a powerful immune adjuvant for new classes of vaccines and an effective stimulant for inducing the immune destruction of tumors while sparing normal tissue.
A broad product pipeline with a focus on vaccines and tumor immunotherapy
Of the 19 different UltraLigands, UltraCD40L is our lead product. MultimericBio will test UltraCD40L as the key factor for empowering vaccines against chronic infectious diseases, focusing on disease targets that have thus far resisted a therapeutic vaccination approach. Subsequent studies will test the combination of UltraCD40L with tumor antigens as novel treatments for cancer. Since the CD40L/CD40 receptor system is known to be very active in humans, it is expected that UltraCD40L will be very effective in its clinical applications. Also, UltraCD40L is safe in preclinical models, leading to the expectation it will be both strong and well tolerated in people.
Immunostimulatory combinations
The company will also develop or partner its TNFSF technology as part of an immunostimulatory combination, focusing on CD40L combined with Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, inflammasome pathway activators such as ATP (P2X7 purinergic receptor agonist), and other agents. Certain combinations were found to be especially promising for eradicating tumors in laboratory studies and are the subject of pending patents. In addition, nanoparticle delivery of UltraCD40L has been found to be an especially effective way to deliver this new cancer immunotherapy agent.
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