Generation of biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of dermatological diseases

• Grant number: 21/05303-8
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: October 01, 2021 - June 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Bergamin Zani
• Grantee: Marcelo Bergamin Zani
• Host Company: Krabs Desenvolvimento em Biotecnologia Ltda
• CNAE: Pesquisa e desenvolvimento experimental em ciências físicas e naturais
• City: Santo André
• Associated researchers: Alisson Leonardo Matsuo ; Luciano Puzer
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/11740-1 - Generation of biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of dermatological diseases, BP.TT; 21/10932-4 - Generation of biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of dermatological diseases, BP.PIPE

Abstract

Our company focuses on the development of inhibitors for kallikreins involved in the epidermal desquamation process. Recent discoveries showing the importance of kallikreins in skin diseases, and the potential therapeutic use of kallikrein inhibitors for dermatological disorders, is the backbone that guides our business. In addition, our company also seeks to develop methodologies for the generation of new molecular architectures for the inhibition of kallikreins involved in the epidermal desquamation process. Currently some companies are already working with this theme. Human tissue kallikreins form a family of 15 proteolytic enzymes (KLK1-KLK15) widely distributed and differentially expressed in several tissues. Tissue human kallikrein 7 (KLK7) acts physiologically cleaving the corneodesmosomes, which are responsible for maintaining cellular cohesion in the skin. Thus KLK7 is important for separating the cells from the skin and ending the process of epidermal flaking and renewal. However, when the KLK7 is operating unregulated, it can lead to accelerated peeling processes, causing numerous injuries to a person's skin. This has already been shown to occur in people with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and Netherton Syndrome. In this way, molecules capable of controlling the activity of KLK7 are indicated as archetypes of new therapeutic procedures to control the effects of these dermatological diseases. That said, our company uses modern methods of biotechnology for the generation of biomolecules. We work with phage libraries based on tissue kallikrein protein inhibitors and phage libraries based on antibody fragments. We are currently licensing the recombinant antibody (LUP37C11), which was selected from a phage library. The compound is in the process of being patented by the Universidade Federal do ABC. We hope to contribute to the generation of more efficient biomolecules for the therapeutic control of diseases related to the skin desquamation process, such as Netherton's syndrome, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. (AU)