NextCore TCR-like antibodies RA

Offentlig prosjektsammendrag

The project will develop and validate a first-in-class drug candidate with the potential to revolutionize the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Unlike current therapies that rely on broad immunosuppression, our project aims to establish proof-of-concept for a tolerizing therapy that selectively suppresses pathogenic immune responses while preserving healthy immunity. This long-awaited shift promises to redefine RA care by enabling disease-specific immune modulation. The drug concept is based on TCR-like antibodies that target RA-associated autoantigens presented on HLA class II molecules. Achieving this breakthrough requires overcoming major challenges, from identifying suitable targets to engineering antibodies capable of inducing tolerance and validating them in disease-relevant models. These challenges demand a radically new approach to immunology and antibody engineering, grounded in interdisciplinary collaboration.