NImmune Biopharma collaborates with BioTherapeutics on next-gen precision medicines

NImmune Biopharma has entered into a strategic partnership with BioTherapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company based in Virginia, to accelerate the development of next-generation precision medicines targeting inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This collaboration is poised to leverage BioTherapeutics’ advanced computational modeling, regulatory expertise, and unique animal models to fast-track NImmune Biopharma’s pipeline, particularly its LANCL immunoregulatory drugs.

Boosting Precision Immunology Capabilities

NImmune Biopharma, a leader in the biopharmaceutical industry, is known for its innovative approach to developing biomarker-driven immunoregulatory therapeutics. The newly inked deal with BioTherapeutics is set to provide NImmune with access to cutting-edge preclinical services, advanced product testing resources, and regulatory infrastructure. This partnership is expected to significantly enhance NImmune’s precision immunology capabilities. The focus will be on expediting the development of its LANCL immunoregulatory drug pipeline, which includes both animal and computational models for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

NImmune will also capitalize on BioTherapeutics’ proprietary animal models, such as their unique pig models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), along with their pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analysis capabilities. This collaboration aims to ensure that NImmune’s drug candidates are not only developed faster but also with higher efficacy and safety.

A Collaborative Ecosystem for Drug Development

The collaboration with BioTherapeutics is not the first strategic move for NImmune Biopharma. It follows a continuing research and development partnership with the NIMML Institute, signed in May of the previous year. Together, these partnerships form a powerful innovation ecosystem that supports a multidisciplinary approach to drug development. This scientific ecosystem integrates resources from BioTherapeutics and the NIMML Institute’s TITAN-X, an artificial intelligence-powered precision medicine platform. This ecosystem has already delivered promising outcomes, such as achieving clinical and commercial milestones for NX-13, a therapeutic candidate for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. The success of NX-13 culminated in its acquisition by pharmaceutical giant AbbVie, following its buyout of Landos Biopharma in March this year.

Josep Bassaganya-Riera, Founder and CEO of NImmune Biopharma, emphasized that the partnership with BioTherapeutics is a significant expansion of NImmune’s innovative R&D ecosystem. He believes this collaboration is a game-changer in developing safer and more effective immunoregulatory therapeutics that address unmet clinical needs for patients suffering from inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Inside the Minds of the Experts

Experts in the industry see this partnership as a bold move that underscores the increasing need for precision medicine. Raquel Hontecillas, Chief Scientific Officer at BioTherapeutics, noted that the collaboration would allow both companies to combine their strengths to develop therapeutics that are not only more effective but also safer. Hontecillas highlighted the unique drug development ecosystem created in Blacksburg, Virginia, which equips both organizations to develop new therapies at an accelerated pace.

The emphasis on computational modeling, coupled with translational and clinical experimentation, aligns perfectly with the growing trend towards precision medicine—an approach that targets treatments based on a patient’s specific genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The unique models provided by BioTherapeutics, such as their pig models for IBD, offer an innovative way to study disease mechanisms and potential therapies more accurately.

Omilancor: A Promising Candidate on the Horizon

A centerpiece of NImmune’s drug development strategy is omilancor, a leading product candidate now in Phase 3 trials. Targeting the LANCL2 pathway, omilancor is designed as a once-daily, gut-restricted therapeutic for treating ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Phase 2 proof-of-concept studies have already shown positive results, suggesting that omilancor could become a best-in-class option for patients suffering from these chronic inflammatory conditions.

A Pathway to Transformative Treatments

The partnership between NImmune Biopharma and BioTherapeutics is a significant stride towards revolutionizing the field of immunology and inflammation-based diseases. By harnessing advanced computational tools, innovative preclinical models, and a collaborative ecosystem, both companies aim to expedite the development of safer, more effective therapies. This could mark a new chapter in precision medicine, offering hope to millions of patients worldwide.