F-star社、Genedata Biologicsを導入：
バイスペシフィック抗体創薬プログラムを効率化

Genedata Biologics implemented as an integrated workflow platform to increase throughput and automation of F-star’s bispecific discovery operations

November 15, 2016
Basel, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK

Genedata, a leading provider of advanced software solutions for drug discovery and life science research, today announced that F-star has licensed Genedata Biologics™ for use in their antibody discovery programmes. The platform will be used to increase the throughput of F-star’s bispecific antibody (mAb² ™) discovery operations from early screening and lead identification, to expression, purification, analytics and manufacturability assessment.

“We are excited that F-star, a leader in the discovery and development of novel bispecific antibodies, has joined the growing number of companies that use the Genedata Biologics platform. This is another example of how highly innovative companies like F-star can benefit from a platform that systematically processes, manages, and analyses complex biopharma R&D data and ultimately helps to design and engineer superior therapeutics,” said Dr. Othmar Pfannes, Chief Executive Officer of Genedata. “We continue to invest into growing our products to address new and future needs of drivers of innovation such as F-star.”

Genedata Biologics will help increase the experimental throughput of F-star’s proprietary technology platform, which is used to introduce a novel antigen-binding site into the constant (Fc) region of an antibody. The resulting molecule (called Fcab™) can rapidly be inserted into any existing antibody to generate a full-length mAb². Genedata Biologics will provide an integrated assessment of bioactivity, developability, and manufacturability for all such drug candidates.

“F-star develops innovative, targeted immunotherapies to fight cancer through several mechanisms. We have been looking for a workflow system that enables us to scale-up the throughput of our discovery programmes and addresses the large number of bispecific antibodies generated through our proprietary technology platform. We evaluated the market and quickly came to the conclusion that Genedata Biologics would suit our needs,” said Dr. Neil Brewis, CSO of F-star. “Genedata Biologics provides a flexible architecture and includes built-in biopharma domain knowledge, which can handle our proprietary bispecific antibody discovery processes. We believe Genedata Biologics will help us to accelerate the discovery of the next generation of immuno-oncology therapeutics.”

In the five short years since its first release in 2011, Genedata Biologics has been rapidly adopted by half of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies. Genedata’s collaborations range from single group installations to large, global, multi-site partnerships and include technology transfer, customizations, project management, training, and roll out and deployment support.

About F-star
F-star is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing bispecific antibody immuno-oncology products selected for their potential to transform the treatment of cancer. Through the application of its highly efficient Modular Antibody Technology™ platform, F-star is the only biotechnology company able to create bispecific antibodies where the second binding site is in the constant Fc region of an antibody. The strength of the technology and programmes has been leveraged through partnerships with leading biopharmaceutical companies including AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Merck Serono, Boehringer Ingelheim and Denali Therapeutics. F-star has currently one programme in the clinic with a second immuno-oncology programme heading toward IND. The company has built a comprehensive IP estate around its technology and product pipeline, with over 50 patent applications filed and over 25 granted patents.

F-star’s management team has a well-established track record in building successful biotech companies, and developing biologics. The team is advised by a world-leading scientific advisory board and a highly experienced board of directors. F-star has raised close to $100M in non-dilutive capital and revenues. The company currently employs over 70 people at its research site in Cambridge, UK.
http://www.f-star.com