IU startup developing novel antibodies enters next phase of growth

An Indiana University affiliated startup, Allinaire Therapeutics LLC (Allinaire), is ready to enter its next phase of growth through a new partnership with the global pharmaceutical and healthcare company Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. (Chiesi Group).  

Chiesi’s new investment in Allinaire will advance research into the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare pulmonary condition causing high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs, leading to heart failure.

Chiesi’s announcement marks its acquisition of global rights to Allinaire’s portfolio of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II (EMAP II), also known as anti-EMAP II mAbs.

The anti-EMAP II treatment uses lab-created monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that can specifically bind and neutralize a toxic protein that leads to pulmonary hypertension development. The global therapeutic monoclonal antibodies market is growing rapidly, drawing attention to its potential as a treatment option.

Allinaire’s anti-EMAP II antibody technology is licensed from Indiana University.   

“This agreement strengthens Chiesi’s commitment to developing novel treatments for conditions with a high unmet medical need, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension,” Thomas Eichholtz, head of global R&D at Chiesi, said in a press release. “We believe that an anti-EMAP II antibody is a promising novel approach for the development of an effective treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension patients. The partnership with Allinaire is further evidence of Chiesi’s focus on innovation and desire to accelerate our entry into biologics and thus diversify our therapeutic platforms.”

Allinaire’s technology is built upon the research of its two scientific founders, Matthias Clauss, a senior research professor at the IU School of Medicine, and Dr. Irina Petrache, a pulmonologist at the National Jewish Health Center and former professor at the IU School of Medicine.

“My colleagues and I have demonstrated a pivotal pathogenic role of EMAP II in cardiopulmonary diseases, including PAH, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and viral-induced acute lung injury,” Clauss said. “It’s very common to see lots of important discoveries remain unnoticed in pharmaceutical industry for so many reasons. We needed help to go that extra mile, and this was facilitated by all the funding opportunities and support we received from IU’s Innovation and Commercialization Office.”

The initial research was funded by the NIH in 2015, followed by additional funds from NIH, DOD, IU Ventures (Innovate Indiana Fund), BioCrossroads (Indiana Seed Fund II) and BioMotiv to advance the development of Allinaire’s anti-EMAP II mAb therapeutics.

"Allinaire’s partnership with Chiesi is the outcome of serial investments by the public and private sector," said Simran Trana, associate vice president of the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office. "It is one of the excellent examples that shows the potential of the entrepreneur ecosystem in Midwest and how we help translate research into innovation for patient benefit with global impact.”

The Innovation and Commercialization Office continues to support Allinaire's efforts through strategic IP/license management.