E!1530 NK-ENGAGE

Purpose and goal:

The aim is to develop a new theraphy for multiple myeloma, where the patient´s immune system is activated to fight cancer cells. The project is built on Oncopeptides´ proprietary platform for Small Polypeptide based Killer Engagers (SPiKEs). The goal is to develop a novel synthetically produced polypeptide, OP-X, which creates a bridge between the patient´s own NK cells (Natural Killer cells) and myeloma cells, thereby activating the immune system to kill the tumour cells.

Expected results and effects:

The novel polypeptide OP-X is expected to induce robust NK cell activation only in the presence of the patients´ cancer cells. At the end of the project, OP-X is expected to have demonstrated positive effects in both patient material and in other advanced models with human NK cells present. In addition, a preclinical data package will have been generated to guide selection of a “Candidate Drug” (CD) ready to enter late preclinical studies after project completion.

Approach and implementation:

The starting point of this project is the existing polypeptide OP-770. A battery of state-of-the art methods to study NK cell activation and serial killing will be used to develop optimized variants of OP-770. A workflow where biological results are used in an iterative process together with design and synthesis of novel innovative polypeptides will be applied. During this lead optimization process, different methods for synthetic production of the polypeptide will be evaluated and developed.