Company Profile

Apogenix is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel protein therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, based either on the targeted modulation of apoptosis (programmed cell death) or on a blockade of the invasive growth of tumour cells.

The company’s lead product candidate, APG101, a soluble fusion protein combining the extracellular domain of the CD95-receptor and the Fc-portion of IgG, completed a Phase I clinical trial in 2009. APG101 has entered a controlled Phase II trial for the treatment of Glioblastoma multiforme in December 2009 (GBM: the most common and aggressive type of primary brain tumour) and is expected to enter Phase II trials, later in 2010, for the treatment of acute acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (aGvHD: rejection of recipient tissue by transplanted bone marrow). Apogenix plans to out-license APG101 no later than the completion of proof of concept Phase II trials.

In pre-clinical studies, Apogenix is focusing on Interleukin-4 (IL-4) blockers. IL-4 plays an essential role in the development of apoptosis resistance in cancer cells and cancer stem cells. Once the different cell lines for GMP production are developed, Apogenix will choose the most promising candidate to take further into development.

Apogenix was founded as a spin-out from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Since its inception in autumn 2005, the company has raised
€ 43 000 000 in two separate financing rounds and has been awarded public grants totalling nearly € 5 750 000. Apogenix is based in Heidelberg, Germany and currently employs 28 people.