Faron Pharmaceuticals files new patent for Clever-1

The AIM-traded firm said the patent submission was based on recent findings that soluble Clever-1, secreted by Clever-1-positive macrophages and endothelial cells, bound to activated T-cells, thus impairing their differentiation into anti-tumor effectors and impacting the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapies in cancer.

It said its research had identified the specific segment of Clever-1 responsible for the T-cell inactivation, with the patent application covering the use of soluble Clever-1 or its fragments in therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.

Faron said its next steps included designing an optimal drug composition targeting the mechanism, signalling an expansion of its pipeline beyond oncology to encompass autoimmune disease treatment.

Further details on the new direction would be provided as development progressed.

“Clever-1 is a master regulator of the immune system,” said chief scientific officer Dr Maija Hollmén.

“Through decades of pivotal research and our deep understanding of Clever-1 and its role in human biology we have now shown how it inactivates T-cells, drives immune tolerance, and may render anti-PD-1 based immune checkpoint therapies ineffective.”

Dr Hollmén said that in addition, the company now had an understanding on how it could use that to its advantage in the treatment of unwanted inflammation where T-cells needed to be inactivated.

“This lays the basis for a new class of drugs to treat autoinflammatory diseases.”

At 1218 GMT, shares in Faron Pharmaceuticals were up 11.48% at 170p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.