A new therapeutic branch​
Our approach
T-cell activation requires a chain of three signals, but all current approaches are focused on changing the later steps in the signaling cascade - Signals 2 & 3.
We are the first to explore the untapped potential of changing Signal 1, despite its fundamental importance in T cell activation.​
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Signal 3
Guiding how T cells target threats
Cytokine-mediated differentiation and expansion
Signal 2
Enhancement of the immune response
Co-stimulation of non-antigen presenting molecules
Signal 1 – Antigen recognition
Initial detection of a cell by a T cell
Signal 1 is crucial to T-cell activation, yet the potential of changing it is yet to be explored.
This completely new approach has enabled us to develop first-in-class antigen modulators that aim to treat disease by controlling T cells.
We make cancer more visible to the immune system, aiming to
activate new T cells.
The immune system does not always recognise tumors as threats, and even when it does, cancers can still enter the 'escape phase' and continue to grow due to T-cell exhaustion by suppressive cytokines or prolonged T-cell receptor stimulation by antigens.​ Our antigen modulators aim to make cancer cells more visible to the immune system in two key ways:​
Visibility
By modulating the antigens that present on the cell surface we hope to increase the number of tumor antigens (neoantigens) that appear on their surface to make them identifiable as threats by T cells.​
Targetability
New antigens offer new sources of stimulation for T-cell receptors to revive a waning immune response.
We eliminate autoantigens at the source to control T cells.
Inhibiting ERAP aims to halt the production of autoantigens in autoimmune disease.​
By blocking the presentation of these antigens, which trigger the incorrect immune response, we seek to stop T cells from attacking healthy cells.​
Unlike Signal 2 & 3 based treatments, that work outside the cell, Signal 1 based ERAP inhibition works within cells to treat at the source – potentially delivering the first disease-modifying treatment for an autoimmune disorder.
Our focus
Validation of the vital role of ERAP in autoimmunity where we can address significant unmet need. Our initial disease of focus is axial spondyloarthritis.
We expose new viral antigens in infected cells, making them detectable to the immune system. ​
Chronic viral infections are adept at evading the immune system, hiding in plain sight from T cells. ​
While current treatments focus on suppressing viral load and managing viral replication, they do not address the immune system eva