Apitope

About Apitope

Apitope operates as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing antigen-specific immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases. The company was founded in 2002 by Professor David Wraith as a spin-out from the University of Bristol, based on his extensive research in immunology. Professor Wraith's work centers on understanding how T-cells can be silenced through the administration of specific protein fragments, a concept that forms the foundation of Apitope's technology.

The company's core asset is its proprietary discovery platform, which identifies and develops highly specific peptide-based therapies known as "apitopes®". This technology aims to restore the immune system's natural balance by targeting only the malfunctioning parts of the immune system, thereby avoiding the global immune suppression associated with many current treatments. The platform works by selecting peptides that can induce tolerance to the specific self-antigen causing the autoimmune reaction. Apitope was acquired by Worg Pharmaceuticals in September 2021, a move intended to accelerate the development of its therapeutic pipeline.

Apitope's business model is centered on the research, clinical development, and eventual commercialization of its pipeline candidates, likely through partnerships and licensing agreements with larger pharmaceutical companies. The firm has secured approximately $28.4 million in funding over several rounds from investors including LRM, Vesalius Biocapital Partners, and the Wellcome Trust.

The company's product pipeline includes several potential first-in-class treatments. The lead candidate for multiple sclerosis (MS), ATX-MS-1467 (now WP1303), is a mix of four peptide fragments from the myelin basic protein designed to re-establish immune tolerance. Clinical trials have shown it to be well-tolerated and effective in significantly reducing brain lesions in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Another key product is ATX-GD-59 for Graves' disease, which has shown promise in Phase I trials as the first potential new treatment for the condition in over 60 years. The pipeline also includes candidates for Factor VIII intolerance in haemophilia A, uveitis, myocarditis, and rheumatoid arthritis.