Anaphore

About Anaphore

Anaphore, Inc. operates as a biopharmaceutical entity focused on developing a distinct class of protein therapeutics to address unmet needs in oncology and immune-mediated diseases. The company was established in late 2007, building upon the protein engineering platform of the former Danish company Borean Pharma A/S.

The company was co-founded by Richard Ulevitch, Ph.D., and Phyllis Whiteley, Ph.D. Dr. Ulevitch, a venture partner with 5AM Ventures and former Chairman of the Department of Immunology at The Scripps Research Institute, brought significant expertise in immune-based diseases. Katherine Bowdish, Ph.D., with a background as President of Alexion Antibody Technologies and Senior Vice President of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer. The leadership was assembled to steer the company's efforts in advancing its proprietary technology.

Anaphore's core business revolves around its proprietary TrimerX™ protein engineering platform. This platform is used to create 'Atrimers™', which are novel drug candidates engineered from a human serum protein. The technology allows for the generation of therapeutics with potential biological, manufacturing, and commercial advantages over traditional drugs like antibodies and small molecules. The company's business model appears to be centered on internal product development, initially targeting immune-based diseases, and forming strategic collaborations and partnerships for various therapeutic areas. In 2011, Anaphore formed a partnership with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation to discover and develop Atrimer drug candidates for autoimmune disorders.

The company's primary product candidates are Atrimers™, a new class of protein pharmaceuticals. These are derived from tetranectin, a human plasma protein with a trivalent structure. Each binding domain contains five distinct amino-acid loops that can be engineered to bind with high potency and specificity to a wide range of therapeutic targets. This platform is protected by more than thirteen patent families. A significant milestone was achieved in 2009 when Anaphore secured a total of $38 million in Series A financing from a syndicate of top-tier biotechnology investors, including 5AM Ventures, Versant Ventures, Apposite Capital, SR One, Merck Serono Ventures, and Aravis SA. This funding was intended to accelerate the development of its Atrimer™ drug candidates and extend its operational runway.