Our Science:
MSM's competitive advantage in the antibody space comes from our exceptional ability to amplify, display and target complex targets that have proven to be problematic for others. Five key elements make MSM the leader in this area:
- Highly Amplified Target Expression
- Pure, Native Target Presentation
- Sophisiticated Selection Methods
- Functional Assays
- Physico Chemistry and Expression Technology
The company has developed proprietary cell lines that over-express native GPCRs and other complex targets, tools to isolate and display these targets in their native comformation in a highly concentrated form, methodologies for immunization and selection in phage systems that give rise to high affinity functional antibodies and the tools to validate and optimize these antibodies to the level of drug candidates.
Our Programs:
GPCRs are the most valuable family of targets for drugs in the body. They make up more than 30% of the targets for small molecule drugs and comprise the targets for many of the industry's blockbusters. While a great many of these would probably be most effectively targeted with an antibody, to date this has proven to be problematic. MSM is among the pioneers to have successfully addressed this unmet medical need.
In 2010 MSM launched a project aimed at generating antibodies against several GPCRs. On the advice of a panel of experts with substantial expertise in antibody therapeutics and the role of GPCRs in various disease states, we selected a panel of those which we deemed to have the most potential for value creation based upon several criteria including: the advantages of using an antibody for each target, the technical feasibility of generating a functional antibody that would modulate the behavior of the target, the intellectual property situation, the magnitude of the medical need, the competitive landscape and the likelihood of attracting a partner.
