International consortium secures Eurostars grant to develop novel treatment for clotting disorders

The consortium is developing a novel treatment for clotting disorders, targeting antithrombin III, a protein which inhibits blood clotting.

Members will provide their know-how and expertise to produce humanised monoclonal antibody candidates that bind antithrombin III, undertake preclinical proof of concept studies and develop a cell line for the manufacture of the selected lead candidate. This novel antibody has the potential to both prevent and treat bleeding in patients with disorders such as haemophilia.

Abzena VP business development Neil Butt said: "Applying our Composite Human Antibody technology to this novel product will help produce a less immunogenic version, giving it a greater chance of improving the lives of patients."

Prothix CEO René Verdonk said: "We are very pleased to have been awarded another Eurostars grant to develop a product that could prevent severe bleeding in patients with haemophilia and look forward to working with the other consortium members again."

UMCU professor of immunology Erik Hack said: "This project not only emphasizes the value of the research work undertaken at UMCU, but also illustrates that valorisation of research results is important to UMCU. We are excited to be part of a consortium and look forward to seeing the preclinical proof of concept for this novel approach."

Aristi CEO Mark de Boer said: "We are keen to be able to bring our expertise in the early stage manufacture of monoclonal antibodies to this programme and to be involved in its preclinical development".

GenOway CEO Alexandre Fraichard said: "We are pleased to be able to add our expertise in the development of preclinical disease models to this consortium of organisations with complementary technologies that will enable the development of a novel therapeutic product to improve the lives of patients."