Simris Biologics has submitted a new patent application covering the optimisation of microcystin-based Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) payloads with a strongly improved efficacy and safety profile. Much of the research for these advancements comes from looking at microalgae and cyanobacteria.
Julian Read, Simris Group CEO, said: “The ideal ADC payload is highly effective at killing cancer cells whilst not damaging healthy cells. Our new patent application describes Simris’ unique approach to making structural optimisations of microcystins for use in an ADC."
Microcystins are a class of toxins produced by certain freshwater cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae.
Read explains that the free microcystin molecules created have been shown to have a significantly improved efficacy and safety profile and such results are highly encouraging and suggest that ADC-payloads can be created that set a new benchmark for safety.
Our new patent application describes Simris’ unique approach to making structural optimisations of microcystins for use in an ADC
- Julian Read, Simris Group CEO
"The next phase is to create ADCs carrying such payloads and test these to gather the efficacy and safety data that we can share with drug developers seeking to develop next-generation ADCs,” Read added.
Simris also confirms that its original method patent for modifying and producing payloads for ADCs, Antibody Antibiotic Conjugates (AACs) and beyond has now been granted in Israel. Simris’ technology platform is currently fully patent protected in key markets including Europe, UK, USA, Australia, Japan, and Middle East.
“Whilst the status of our original patent applications are still pending in China, South Korea and India, we are confident that we be successful in these markets too. Protecting the science behind our inventions is a central part of our strategy. The granting of such method patents is vital to our ability to generate significant revenues from license agreements, research collaborations and the production of payloads at scale for the clinical phases and the commercial market”, said Julian Read.
Simris, Cyano?
In early 2023 Cyano Biotech was acquired by Simris Group (Previously known as Alg), and consequently, its name changed to Simris Biologics.
Simris Group is a biologics company identifying high-value, natural, biologically active compounds found in microalgae and cyanobacteria to extract for applications in skincare, nutrition, and biopharmaceuticals. The company sustainably grows microalgae and cyanobacteria at industrial scale within its photobioreactor facility whereby conditions are optimized for production of these high-value compounds.
The focus of the company has slightly shifted since the acquisition, focusing on biopharmaceutical applications, as addressed by Steven Schapera, Chairman of Simris Grou. “Our acquisition of Cyano Biotech took Simris beyond food supplements and B2B Biomass into the high-margin biopharmaceutical space. Our intention is to build on these existing verticals, whilst retaining an interest in other complimentary fields that bring strong synergies,” he said
Their current operating directives are to research to identify novel natural compounds from cyano’s and microalgae and to establish potential applications for these, as well as to develop technology platforms based upon these compounds and protect them under patent.