DSM, DecImmune collaborate to develop N2 pathway blocking antibody

DSM Pharmaceutical Products has entered into collaboration with venture capital funded DecImmune Therapeutics of Cambridge, US.

As per the agreement, DSM will initiate the development activities for DecImmune’s lead monoclonal antibody program.

DecImmune is developing an antibody-based therapeutic that can prevent tissue damage and preserve organ function by inhibiting activation of the N2 neoepitope in the innate autoimmune pathway.

DecImmune president and CEO Christopher Mirabelli said that partnering with DSM for its antibody process development and manufacturing enables the company to move rapidly through late preclinical studies and into clinical development.

The initial development will be performed at DSM Biologics’ Groningen facility in the Netherlands.

DSM president and CEO Alexander Wessels said, “The combination of the Groningen and Brisbane operations will support DecImmune throughout the development process and on to clinical trials.”

In addition to Groningen facility, DSM is starting up operations in Brisbane, Australia, with the support of the Government of Queensland and the Commonwealth of Australia in 2013. Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.