The drug, which is approaching the end of pre-clinical development, is a monoclonal (MAb) antibody that targets the immunomodulatory cytokine, interleukin 6 (IL-6), this is involved in the damaging autoimmune response characteristic of RA.
Femta COO, Stephen Keane, explained that Lonza’s expertise in MAb production were critical in winning the Swiss firm the contract .
“By leveraging Lonza’s considerable expertise in gene expression and antibody manufacturing, FM101 will have the additional benefit of speed, and yield optimization to further enhance the economies of scale for our antibody.”
