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Pieris AG

Pieris confirms in vivo activity of potent VEGF-specific Anticalin®

Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany - (ots)

Pieris AG, a
bio-pharmaceutical company developing therapeutic products comprising
of Anticalins®, a novel proprietary class of human binding
proteins, announced today that it has confirmed the functional
antagonistic activity of its lead PRS-050 Anticalin® in vivo,
supporting the development of superior biotherapeutics with enhanced
penetration into neovascularized tissues.
PRS-050 targets VEGF, a key positive regulator of angiogenesis
important in several diseases including cancer and neovascular eye
disorders. PRS-050 binds to all splice variants of VEGF-A with
picomolar affinity and antagonizes VEGF binding to its receptors
VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2. PRS-050 inhibits in vitro VEGF-induced human
endothelial cell proliferation with favorable potency compared to all
currently approved VEGF antagonists. Complete inhibition of
angiogenic and vascular permeability activities of VEGF by the
Anticalin(r) have now been demonstrated in appropriate in vivo
models. The data will be presented in Europe at Informa's Next
Generation of Protein Therapeutics Conference in Basel (Nov. 7th -
9th) and in the USA at IBC's Protein Engineering for Biotherapeutics
Conference in San Diego (Dec. 12th - 14th).
"This example highlights how guided selection and rational protein
engineering of Anticalins® can be readily achieved, thereby
yielding candidates with a clear drug development potential",
comments Dr Andreas Hohlbaum, Director of Science and Preclinical
Development of Pieris.
"Excellent data from our lead programs targeting VEGF and CTLA-4,
as well as our partnered programs, show that our proprietary protein
scaffold has all the necessary components for providing a platform,
which is not dependent on antibody patents. This enables partners to
develop and to market effective and safe biotherapeutics
economically", says Evert Küppers, CEO of Pieris. "We have now
started to look for a well-rounded strategic partner to address novel
targets and to advance programs into the clinic."
Notes to editors
About Pieris AG Pieris is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in
the discovery and development of Anticalins® for the diagnosis and
treatment of life-threatening human disorders. Exploiting extensive
know-how in protein engineering as part of a broad intellectual
property portfolio, the Company applies a balanced risk business
model to the development of its Anticalin® candidates. To date,
Pieris has reached all development milestones on time under the
agreements with its industry partners. Recognizing the enormous
market potential of protein-based drugs, Pieris is committed to
becoming an integrated drug discovery and development company.
About the Anticalin® technology Anticalins® as engineered human
proteins with prescribed binding properties are derived from the
lipocalin scaffold and exhibit fundamental similarities with fully
human antibodies e.g. picomolar potency and expected low
immunogenicity. Anticalins® have several additional advantages over
conventional antibodies due to their small size (20 kDa), robust
tertiary structure and straight composition that confer high
solubility, predictable stability and bacterial manufacturability.
Fast pharmacokinetics and favorable tissue penetration of Anticalins®
can be balanced through adjustable modulation of serum half-life and
valency by established methodologies.
By developing Anticalin® based products, Pieris and its
collaborators are not only able to develop superior biotherapeutics,
but they also have the ability to overcome the encumbering patent
landscape as currently present for developing conventional
antibodies.
About VEGF and PRS-050 Angiogenesis - the development of new blood
vessels from pre-existing vasculature - plays an important role in
several diseases. Although various pro- and anti-angiogenic factors
have been identified, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) has
been implicated as the key angiogenic factor in cancer and
neovascular eye disorders. The PRS-050 program has been designed to
develop Anticalins® that specifically bind and block the signalling
activity of VEGF. Pieris will exploit in the PRS-050 program the
compact structure, intrinsic stability, broad formulation flexibility
and small molecular size of Anticalins® to develop products with
enhanced penetration into neovascularized tissues for indications
such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic
retinopathy.
Further information is available at http://www.pieris-ag.com
Anticalin®, Anticalins® are registered trademarks of Pieris
AG.

Contact:

Pieris AG
Dr Andreas Hohlbaum, Dir. of Sci. & Preclin. Dev.
Phone +49/8161-1411-400

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