Antibody for Stimulating Immune Tolerance

The leukocyte common antigen, CD45, is a cell-surface protein expressed broadly on cells of the immune system. Antibodies that react with CD45 have proved effective for preventing rejection. Although the mechanism is not understood fully, the CD45RB antibody interrupts the immune activation process without depleting the entire T cell population. The inventors found the CD45RB antibody has the potential to be an effective therapy for inducing immune tolerance for organ transplantation, diabetes, arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Preclinical studies showed the antibody can reverse initial organ rejection.

RCT and Abgenix Inc. (NASDAQ: ABGX), a Fremont, Calif. biopharmaceutical company, are collaborating to develop antibody-based therapies for stimulating immune tolerance. The companies use Abgenix's XenoMouseTM technology to develop fully human antibodies to CD45RB, a proprietary target studied extensively by RCT and the inventors in preclinical studies.

Inventors/Founders

The late Andrew I. Lazarovits, M.D., University of Western Ontario, and Sibrand Poppema, M.D., Ph.D., University of Groningen, Netherlands

RCT Contact

Shaun A. Kirkpatrick, RCT President and CEO

Related Web Sites

Abgenix Inc.
University of Groningen
University of Western Ontario