Fusion Antibodies (AIM:FAB), a specialist in pre-clinical antibody discovery, engineering and supply, said a UKRI/InnovateUK Launchpad grant in collaboration with Queen's University Belfast will fund the development of a humanised DR5 antibody aimed at treatment‑resistant cancers and that UKRI has extended the project completion to 31 December.
Fusion said total Grant funding is over £808,000, of which up to £545,000 is available to Fusion as direct non-dilutive support, with funds provided by UK Research & Innovation and InvestNI and a formal Collaboration Agreement signed with QUB.
"I am delighted with the grant support from InnovateUK, which is enabling us to progress the DR5 project while showcasing our antibody‑development capabilities and the value of the Future Medicines Institute," Adrian Kinkaid, CEO, said.
The company reported it has successfully humanised the original rabbit antibody using its proprietary CDRx platform, produced multiple structural variants that show tumour cell death in assays, and generated a stable cell line for large‑scale manufacture using microfluidic technology at the Future Medicines Institute that cut cell‑line development to about four months.
Over the remaining months, the DR5 lead and selected variants will undergo further pre‑clinical evaluation in relevant cancer models, with positive data expected to support a patent filing and the creation of a clinic‑ready, licensable therapeutic asset.
Dr Adrian Kinkaid will present on the DR5 project at the ELRIG Drug Discovery conference in Boston later this month.
