Undeniably, cancer has been one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The traditional therapies available such as chemotherapy and radiation, although effective, produce adverse side effects for the patients. In recent years, immunotherapy has been gaining traction as a promising cancer treatment method. It involves stimulating the body’s immune response to attack cancer cells, reducing the risk of the cancer returning, and decreasing the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Epitopea is a transatlantic biotechnology company pioneering in the development of immunotherapies to treat cancer through targeting a new class of antigens that are broadly shared between patients with the same cancer indication.
What is Epitopea?
Epitopea is a transatlantic cancer immunotherapeutics company based in Cambridge, UK. It was founded by Dr. Anthony Hall in 2015, who is also the CEO, with a vision to revolutionize cancer treatment. Epitopea is developing transformational immunotherapies by targeting a new class of antigens, known as Cryptigen™ TSAs, which are hidden in the so-called ‘junk’ DNA of cancer cells. The company has collaborated with the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer at Université de Montréal to create a new approach to discovering these Cryptigen™ TSAs utilizing immunopeptidomics, mass spectrometry, genomics, and bioinformatics.
Cryptigen™ TSAs – A Breakthrough in Cancer Immunotherapy
Epitopea’s technology has allowed them to discover Cryptigen™ TSAs, aberrantly-expressed, tumour-specific antigens that are shared between patients with the same cancer indication. What makes Cryptigen™ TSAs unique and exciting is that they exist in the ‘junk’ DNA, which was previously thought to be irrelevant. Cryptigen™ TSAs can be utilized to develop personalized cancer vaccines that stimulate the immune system to target these specific antigens. This approach has several advantages over traditional cancer therapies, as it is targeted, produces minimal side effects, and could potentially prevent cancer relapse.
Epitopea’s Platform and Potential
Epitopea has developed a state-of-the-art platform for identifying Cryptigen™ TSAs that can be used across a broad range of cancer indications. The company has already identified many Cryptigen™ TSAs in various types of cancer, including prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and acute leukemia. The company recently announced the successful completion of a preclinical study in acute myeloid leukemia and is set to move to the next phase of clinical trials.
Epitopea has attracted significant attention from the biotech community, investors, and researchers. The company has received license agreements with several pharmaceutical companies and is in various partnerships to develop its technology. Epitopea is currently raising funds to advance its clinical trials and potentially bring its immunotherapies to market.
Conclusion
Epitopea’s innovative technology has the potential to transform the cancer treatment landscape. The company’s ability to identify Cryptigen™ TSAs in the ‘junk’ DNA and develop personalized cancer vaccines has significant implications for cancer treatment. As a startup, Epitopea has made incredible progress in the biotech industry, attracting significant investment, and developing key partnerships. Epitopea’s vision to revolutionize cancer treatment is closer than ever to becoming a reality through their breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy.
Website: https://www.epitopea.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/epitopea
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Epitopea/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/epitopea
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