Complix NV, a biopharmaceutical company, announced that it is advancing the development of CMX-02, a potential treatment of severe autoimmune disease. CMX-02 is a bispecific Alphabody-antibody fusion protein that simultaneously targets TNFa and IL-23. The company has entered into an agreement with Switzerland-based life science company Selexis SA to enable the production of this novel drug candidate.

Under the agreement, Complix will have access to the Selexis SUREtechnology Platform for the production of high-expressing and stable clonal cell lines for use in the development and commercial manufacturing of CMX-02. Complix expects to move more rapidly towards the clinical development of CMX-02 as a result of this deal.

CMX-02 is a bispecific Alphabody-antibody fusion that combines the benefits of two major classes of therapeutic proteins and simultaneously targets two key cytokines in the inflammation cascade that lies at the basis of autoimmunity, namely TNFa and IL-23. Complix believes that CMX-02, with its dual activity, can tackle both the upstream cascade initiation as well as the more downstream acute phase of the disease, and, therefore, has the potential to offer major clinical benefits over existing therapies.

TNFa and IL-23 are the targets for a number of highly successful antibody-based therapeutics that generate multi-billion USD sales and provide benefits to many patients worldwide. However, these therapies cannot treat certain types of patients effectively and have limitations with respect to their long-term therapeutic benefits, highlighting the need for improved treatment options such as CMX-02.

Dr. Mark Vaeck, CEO of Complix, said, “I am pleased to report the excellent progress we are making in developing CMX-02. By targeting both TNFa and IL-23 simultaneously I believe that CMX-02 can deliver important benefits for treating patients with severe autoimmune diseases such as psoriatic arthritis and Crohn´s disease. I am also excited about our deal with Selexis which will allow us to produce and develop this novel immunotherapeutic more quickly.”

Marco Bocci, vice president of business development and licensing of Selexis, added, “The SUREtechnology Platform is the perfect fit for expressing the Alphabody fusion proteins that represent an  entirely novel and unique class of biologicals. Our deep understanding of our CHO K1 cell line continues to help biopharmaceutical companies to  rapidly advance innovative therapeutic proteins into the clinic and ultimately the patient.”