Posted: 17 November 2023
Burnet Institute has entered into a research licence and option agreement for Burnet Institute’s Stellabody® technology with argenx.
The Stellabody® platform
Stellabody® is a unique on-target hexamerisation technology that exploits a natural property of antibodies. The technology is based on a single modification buried within the CH3 domain of the antibody Fc, which transforms the potency of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antibody-like biologics, such as Fc fusion proteins, to achieve potency greater than several clinically-approved mAbs up to 100-fold. The Stellabody® platform can be tailored for purpose, including utility for signal amplification, complement killing and target neutralisation, with potential use in indications such as cancer, infection, autoimmunity and inflammation. Stellabody® has been protected through a series of patent filings, including a PCT application (PCT/AU2022/051287; filing date 26 Oct 2022), and is solely owned by Burnet Institute. Incorporating Stellabody® into biological therapeutics can: (i) confer new properties on mAbs and related biologics to overcome lack of potency; (ii) increase cell responses induced by biologics where signalling is limiting; and (iii) reduce the dose volume needed, thereby lowering the cost of goods and pricing.
Research Licence and Option Agreement
Under the multi-year agreement, argenx is granted: (i) a non-exclusive research licence to explore the potential of Stellabody®; and (ii) an option to an exclusive commercial licence to a limited number of molecular targets.
Professor Mark Hogarth, Head of the Immune Therapies Group and co-inventor of Stellabody®, said he was excited to work with argenx: “argenx is an innovative, nimble and collaborative biopharma company, with recognised expertise in antibody discovery and development technologies and is committed to developing differentiated therapeutics. Their track record of success is demonstrated through their recent commercial launch of a first-in-class biologic. I very much look forward to working with them.”
Further Research Licence and Option Agreements available
Burnet Institute is keen to forge further partnerships with other companies interested to incorporate Stellabody® into their therapeutic pipeline based on other molecular targets.
Burnet Institute’s Executive General Manager, Commercial Innovation and Industry Partnerships, Serina Cucuzza, said: “It has been a pleasure working with argenx on a mutually beneficial partnership and we are very much looking forward to a fruitful relationship. We are also interested in partnering with other innovative companies so we can maximise the impact Stellabody® can have for patients.”
