On November 11, 2011 Amorfix Life Sciences reported that the Company is collaborating with Helix BioPharma to develop novel therapeutics against cancers associated with misfolded prion protein (Press release, Amorfix Life Sciences, NOV 11, 2011, View Source [SID:1234500907]). These novel therapeutics will specifically target tumour cells and are expected to be more effective and safer than traditional cancer treatments.
Antibodies can be effective as therapeutics by delivering a toxic payload directly to the tumour. As part of this collaboration, Amorfix will provide tumour specific antibodies identified and developed with their proprietary ProMIS discovery technology while Helix BioPharma will utilize their proprietary technology to produce antibody-urease conjugates which are toxic to cells.
"This collaboration represents an important combination of technologies required to produce new therapeutics for the effective treatment of cancer" said Dr. Robert Gundel, Amorfix President and Chief Executive Officer. "We have been very successful in generating high affinity antibodies against disease specific epitopes (DSEs) that show preferred binding to certain tumour cells, but not to normal cells. Our lead misfolded PrP antibody shows selective binding to 5 out of 6 human ovarian cancer cell types but does not bind to normal human ovarian tissue. In addition, this antibody binds selectively to 4 out of 6 human lymphoma cancer cells but not to normal human lymphocytes. Ovarian cancer, in particular, remains an area of very high unmet medical need with a current 5 year survival rate of less than 50%. By attaching Helix’s urease toxin to our antibody, we are providing an effective means for specific delivery directly to the tumours, and not subjecting normal cells to the toxin. We are very pleased to have Helix BioPharma as a partner for this program as their conjugation technology and experience with the urease system is an important component for the overall success of the project."
Details and/or financial terms of the collaboration have not been made public.

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