Discovery Portfolio

Affimed´s AFM15 program targets T-cell-mediated autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, moderate-to-severe psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease and Type I diabetes. Affimed has developed its anti-CD3 product, AFM15, in bivalent and tetravalent formats. CD3 is a clinically validated target for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (Orthoclone OKT3). By blocking CD3, AFM15 down-modulates the T-cell receptor complex, leading to an immune regulation. The absence of an Fc-portion eliminates possible cross-linking of T-cells, thus preventing T-cell proliferation and cytokine release syndrome.

Preclinical in-vitro and in-vivo data indicate that AFM15 has improved immunosuppressive activity and shows a drastic reduction in the amount of released cytokines. In addition to triggering fewer side effects, potential immunogenicity is reduced, because of the absence of constant domains. The final candidate of AFM15 for GMP production has been selected.

Chemokines play a major role in the mediation of pathological pathways in atopic diseases like asthma, allergies and inflammation. While some chemokines are considered homeostatic and are involved in controlling the migration of cells during normal processes of tissue maintenance or development, other chemokines are pro-inflammatory. Besides their participation in signaling cascades, that generate responses like chemotaxis, degranulation, release of superoxide anions and changes in the avidity of cell adhesion molecules, chemokines can also induce high levels of IgE and affect smooth muscle cells in blood vessels and airways.

Affimed´s AFM19 is a BiBLOCK-TandAb® that simultaneously blocks two major chemokine signaling pathways, to combat hyperresponsive immune reactions. Preliminary data indicate that AFM19 strongly binds to the selected targets and effectively inhibits the signaling pathways.

EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule), a pan-epithelial differentiation antigen, is involved in homotypic cell-cell interactions. EpCAM is expressed on the basolateral cell membrane of virtually all simple epithelia and is over expressed in tumors arising from them. Therefore, EpCAM can be regarded as a pan-carcinoma marker and represents an important target for the immunotherapy of epithelial carcinomas, such as breast, lung, colon and prostate.

Affimed has isolated a fully human high-affinity antibody that specifically binds to EpCAM on the cell surface. The RECRUIT-TandAb® AFM20 combines this human antibody with an antibody recruiting immune effector cells.

Preclinical data indicate that AFM20 is more potent than the human anti-EpCAM IgG. The favorable in vivo properties indicate that this product could provide a highly attractive therapeutic alternative to existing antibodies in solid tumor therapy.

EGFR1 is overexpressed on the cell surface of many tumors and is one of the most important targets of those that have been addressed by small molecule and monoclonal antibody strategies. Alternative approaches are being developed using anti-EGFR immunotoxin conjugates. However, there is a need for a therapeutic molecule that ensures better efficacy and safety than current treatments provide.

Affimed has isolated a fully human high-affinity antibody that specifically binds to EGFR on the cell surface. The RECRUIT-TandAb® AFM21 combines this human antibody with an antibody recruiting immune effector cells, such as NK-cells or T-Cells.

Preclinical studies are currently in progress.