BIO-Europe Spring Presenting Companies 2023
Affilogic
Profile
Affilogic is a private French biotech company founded in 2010. We are specialized in discovering and assembling affinity proteins named Nanofitins®, developed as innovative biotherapeutics through collaborations with worldwide Pharma leaders. Affilogic has full control of the Intellectual Property on Nanofitins® technology (exclusive rights from Pasteur Institute and 11 fully owned patent families). Nanofitins® are easy to combine with each other or with other molecules (antibodies, enzymes, nucleic acids, nanoparticles …) by simple and proven methods. Starting from specific clinical needs we design for each program an ideal targeted therapy by assembling Nanofitins® / other molecules bearing specific functions, as illustrated by two of our main programs developed through partnerships. With Apellis Pharmaceuticals, we developed a Nanofitin® blocking the complement cascade, that we fused to a molecule inhibiting angiogenesis, thus treating Age-related Macular Degeneration and its advanced form Geographic Atrophy. To increase time between 2 intravitreal injections, we added a half-life extending Nanofitin®. This fusion molecule, APL-2006 (1 antibody fragment and 2 Nanofitins®), is expected to enter Clinical Phase I by mid-2023. With our partner Samabriva, we fused a therapeutic enzyme to a half-life extending Nanofitin® and a Blood-Brain-Barrier crossing Nanofitin® to treat lysosomal diseases by Enzyme Replacement Therapy into the brain. We proved that the fusion molecule (1 enzyme and 2 Nanofitins) can reach the brain in higher concentration and remain active. Animal studies show an increased efficacy of this fusion molecule than the naked enzyme. Affilogic leverages the versatility of the Nanofitin® technology through internal research (recent grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and in partnership with biotech/Pharma partners (GSK, Merck KGaA, Bracco…) in a variety of applications.