WATERTOWN, Mass. — Avilar Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing therapies based on extracellular protein degradation, has announced new preclinical data supporting its experimental treatment for preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication.
The findings from the company’s sFlt1 ATAC (ASGPR Targeting Chimera) program will be presented at the 2nd Hamburg International Symposium on Maternal-Fetal Medicine, scheduled for Oct. 9-10 in Hamburg, Germany.
The research suggests the experimental therapy can rapidly reduce circulating levels of sFlt1, a protein associated with preeclampsia, while clearing quickly from the bloodstream and avoiding transfer across the placenta in animal studies.
Preeclampsia affects up to 8% of pregnancies worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, and can cause high blood pressure, blood vessel dysfunction and organ damage. There is currently no approved treatment that directly targets the underlying disease biology, and delivery of the baby remains the only definitive treatment.
Elevated levels of sFlt1, which is produced in excess by the placenta, are believed to play a central role in the development of the condition. Researchers are investigating whether reducing circulating sFlt1 could help delay delivery and improve outcomes for mothers and babies.
Avilar’s experimental therapy uses a bispecific antibody to bind specific forms of sFlt1 in the mother’s bloodstream and direct the protein to the liver for degradation through the body’s natural asialoglycoprotein receptor pathway.
In preclinical studies involving non-human primates, the treatment substantially reduced circulating sFlt1 levels within hours. Researchers also observed rapid clearance of the therapy from circulation, suggesting the potential for adjustable dosing based on a patient’s condition.
Importantly, studies in pregnant non-human primates found no evidence that the experimental therapy crossed the placenta, potentially limiting fetal exposure.
“What differentiates the sFlt1 ATAC profile is the combination of rapid and substantial lowering of circulating sFlt1 with fast clearance of the ATAC that may support individualized dosing as a patient’s condition evolves. Importantly, in our preclinical studies the molecule did not cross the placenta,” said Phil Graham, Ph.D., Chief Development Officer at Avilar.
The company said the treatment’s rapid action and clearance could make it particularly suitable for patients with preeclampsia who require urgent medical intervention.
“Preeclampsia represents exactly the kind of unmet medical need where we believe our ATAC platform is particularly well suited – a disease in which a circulating protein plays a central pathogenic role and where rapid, controllable reduction of that protein may be particularly valuable,” said Leslie Meltzer, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Avilar.
“With a development candidate in hand and work underway to advance it toward clinical trials, we are focused on translating these attributes into meaningful benefit for preeclampsia patients and their babies,” Meltzer added.
The findings represent the program’s first presentation at a scientific conference focused on maternal-fetal medicine. The treatment remains in preclinical development, with additional work underway to prepare for human clinical trials.
