Memo Therapeutics AG nominates its first human-derived monoclonal antibody to enter preclinical development

• The antibody was isolated from a clinically selected human donor using proprietary microfluidic single-cell cloning and screening technology
• The antibody will be developed to treat BK virus infection in kidney transplant recipients.

Schlieren, September 11th, 2019. Memo Therapeutics AG announced today that it is entering preclinical development of its first drug candidate a BK virus-neutralizing antibody isolated from humans for the treatment of BK virus infection after renal transplantation. Infection with BK virus poses a serious threat to renal transplants and occurs with a frequency of approximately 50%. Currently, there is no approved therapeutic option but to lower immune suppression. Due to the unwanted side effects of this measure there is a high unmet medical need to help transplant recipients keep a fully functional organ for the long term.
Evidence for a protective role of antibodies is provided by the observation in rare patients that a pre-existing neutralizing antibody response correlates with a better clinical outcome.

The nominated antibody has the following properties:

• Highly virus neutralizing
• Pico-molar affinity
• Optimal safety profile due to human origin (negative/positive selection) and known viral target

“We are highly excited to have developed a candidate antibody with such outstanding properties that could change the outcome of renal transplantation and will start preclinical development immediately. “ says Dr. Karsten Fischer, CEO. Dr. Christoph Esslinger, CSO, comments: “Being able to find ultra rare antibodies from elite controller patients is a key advantage of our technology. We will certainly leverage its ability for other applications in house as well as attract high-profile partnerships with pharmaceutical companies.”

About Memo

Memo Therapeutics AG is an innovator in the field of antibody discovery and immune repertoire analysis. Exploiting the power of our microfluidic single-cell molecular cloning and screening technologies we engage in antibody discovery across species and indications for proprietary and partnered projects. Our current pipeline features programs in infectious diseases and immuno-oncology.

For further information, please visit www.memo-therapeutics.com

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