NextCore HLA-I - New Cancer Target Platform (Skattefunn)

Offentlig prosjektsammendrag

Nextera AS is a Norwegian biotech company which has developed its proprietary technology platform, "NextCore", which is based on phage display. The strategy and business model of Nextera is to exploit the company’s proprietary technology platform by entering collaborations with larger players in the pharmaceutical industry, by which Nextera will earn milestone and royalty revenue. THE BUSINESS: We have currently utilized the potential of NextCore in target discovery of HLA II- peptides. HLA II are associated with antigen presenting cells, training the T cells, and is well suited for deciphering the immune system associated with autoimmune diseases where the T cell training has gone wrong. HLA I, on the other hand, being displayed on any cell serve as a valuable target for cancer and infectious diseases. This project describes how Nextera wants to expand its NextCore platform to be utilized for HLA I so as to expand its market potential in the immuno-oncology segment. THE BIOLOGY: T cells play a vital role in the control of infections and cancer. Essential to T-cell function are highly specialized extracellular receptors, TCRs, that selectively bind specific antigens displayed by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (named HLA in man). There are two classes of HLA, HLA I and HLA II. HLA I is present on all cells, whereas HLAII primarily is present on specialized antigen presenting cells. The role of HLA is to present peptides to the T cells for training the T cell immune system to recognize potential foreign or detrimental peptides to allow for elimination of the cells presenting such peptides. In this context, any discovery and development of HLA-peptide complexes that are able to trigger a T cell response serve as valuable targets for immunotherapies like T cell-based cancer therapies.