research and development centers on clinically validated disease targets, to mitigate risk and increase the likelihood of success;
therapeutics
Pieris has adopted a clear and streamlined approach to its therapeutic Anticalin® programs:
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targets whose role in disease is understood are given priority - enabling Pieris to home in on the underlying mechanism of action of the target;
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antagonistic Anticalins® are preferred, being more precisely calibrated in cell-based functional assays;
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where a disease mechanism cannot be modulated directly, Pieris engages secondary effectors (such as toxins) as targeted warheads.
Ultimately, Pieris believes that each Anticalin® program must be custom designed to ensure that the eventual product profile fits the demands of the intended clinical
indication.
In terms of therapeutic focus for its proprietary pipeline, Pieris is currently engaged in Anticalin® programs with broad potential application in oncology. Partnered therapeutics programs span
a range of potential therapeutic areas.
Pieris is currently focusing on the following proprietary therapeutics programs, all of which are advancing in preclinical development:
PRS-010 (target: CTLA-4; clinical indication: solid and hematological tumors). Pieris has identified CTLA-4 specific Anticalins® which act as antagonists of the T cell mediated
’immune system brake’. By releasing the function of CTLA-4 in a targeted way, T cell activation may ultimately be harnessed for the treatment of a wide range of tumors.
PRS-030 (target: undisclosed; indication: hematological tumors). PRS-030 binds to a clinically validated, tumor associated target and delivers a conjugated toxin.
PRS-050 (target: VEGF; indication: solid tumors). PRS-050 targets VEGF, a key positive regulator of angiogenesis in the development and progression of cancer. PRS-050 exhibits a
favorable binding and functional in vitro activity profile in direct comparison to all currently approved VEGF antagonists. Complete inhibition of angiogenic and vascular permeability
activities of VEGF by the Anticalin® and potent anti-tumor activity was demonstrated in appropriate preclinical studies. Anticalins® with extended serum half life will be employed for the
treatment of solid tumors.
PRS-055 (target: VEGF; indication: AMD). Neovascular eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy are the leading cause for blindness in the
western world. PRS-055 antagonizes the function of VEGF in the eye aiming to stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels. Pieris exploits in the PRS-055 program the compact structure, intrinsic
stability, broad formulation flexibility and small molecular size of Anticalins® to create products with enhanced penetration into neovascularized tissues.
PRS-060 (target: undisclosed; indication: asthma). PRS-060 is unique from currently available asthma treatments due to its physicochemical properties and its mechanism of action.
Therefore it has the potential to be a therapeutic option for patients whose disease is not currently well controlled and for non-allergic asthmatics.
