ProtAb Ltd.
This article was originally published in Start Up
Executive Summary
While the aim of many existing biological therapies is to reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, Israeli start-up ProtAb aims to increase levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines. ProtAb's lead monoclonal antibody, Proximab, is directed against an epitope of the bacterial heat shock protein 65 . As well as linking to Hsp65, Proximab cross-links with a surface ligand on macrophages, activating a signal transduction pathway that up-regulates anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10. ProtAb has completed two proof-of-concept studies that showed efficacy in adjuvant-induced and collagen-induced arthritis. In 2008, the company will also conduct proof-of-concept studies of Proximab in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psoriasis.