Alopexx Pharmaceuticals, LLC was founded in 2006 to develop and commercialize a promising new alternative for the treatment andprevention of staphylococcal and other serious bacterial infections.  The company obtained the rights for all antibodies developed against a proprietary antigenic target – dPNAG.  That target, developed by Dr. Gerald Pier at Harvard Medical School, holds great promise for the treatment of a wide range of infections. The Company’s lead compound is a fully human monoclonal antibody (F598) directed against dPNAG that has the potential to serve as an alternative to antibiotics in the fight against those infections.

F598 is an intact fully human monoclonal antibody, directed against S. aureus and other clinically relevant bacteria.  It has the potential to serve as an alternative to antibiotics in the treatment and prevention of  MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) and other infections. Unlike antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies are not expected to lead to the development of bacterial resistance to the therapy. The target of the antibody is a carbohydrate on the bacterial capsule known as PNAG.  PNAG has been found to be a critical factor in the virulence and immune response to staphylococcal infections. S. aureus strains that cannot produce PNAG have a significantly reduced ability to cause infections. The antibody is directed against PNAG and works by inducing killing by the patient’s own white blood cells.

In December 2009 Alopexx entered into an option for an exclusive worldwide license with Sanofi-Aventis  for development and commercialization of the product. Under the agreement Alopexx receives an upfront payment and research funding from sanofi-aventis and is eligible for development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments which could reach $375 million in total, as well as royalties on sales of products commercialized under the license and collaboration. A phase I trial was completed under Alopexx’s supervision and in November 2010 Sanofi elected to exercise its option and license the antibody. While subsequent clinical development is now the responsibility of Sanofi Aventis, Alopexx continues to have an important consultation role.