Antitope, Ltd., and Opsona Therapeutics, Ltd., announce successful Composite Human Antibody project

January 2009 Antitope Ltd., a leader in the generation of therapeutic human antibodies with reduced immunogenicity, and Opsona Therapeutics, Ltd., a leader in the development of therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune/inflammatory disease, today announced the completion of a successful collaboration for the generation of a therapeutic antibody designated Opn-305. During the collaboration, Antitope applied its Composite Human Antibody technology to humanise a murine monoclonal antibody resulting in a humanised antibody devoid of T cell epitopes and thus with a low risk of immunogenicity.
"We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with such an innovative and progressive company as Opsona," said Matthew Baker Ph.D, Chief Executive Officer of Antitope." Our collaboration has demonstrated the success of our Composite Human Antibody technology and we are excited about the prospects for Opsona's therapeutic antibodies."

Opsona's CEO, Mark Heffernan PhD, explained that "it has been a very successful programme of research. Our collaboration has yielded high affinity and low immunogenic antibodies, exceeding the criteria we originally established".

About Antitope

Antitope Ltd. is a privately-held Cambridge UK-based biotechnology company specialising in immunogenicity testing and the engineering of therapeutic antibodies/proteins with reduced immunogenicity. Antitope's proprietary Composite Human Antibody technology provides a novel solution to the detection and removal of T cell epitopes in antibodies/proteins through proprietary humanisation and DeImmunisation technologies. Antitope has established multiple commercial relationships with leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. For further information on Antitope visit http://www.antitope.co.uk/ or contact:

Dr Neil Butt

Business Development Director

Tel: +44 1223 496190

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About Opsona Therapeutics

Opsona is a drug development company, focused on novel therapeutic and preventative approaches to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The company was founded in 2004 with three of Trinity College Dublin's respected Immunologists. The company is specifically interested in drugs which modulate the innate immune system and its signalling, specifically Toll-Like Receptors (TLR). Opsona has a pipeline of therapeutics in advanced pre-clinical development which modulate the innate immune system, including biologics and small molecules. The company has signed some significant partnering and collaborative deals, such as with Wyeth (USA). The company is based in Dublin and also has laboratories in Lausanne, Switzerland. For further information on Opsona visit http://www.opsona.com/ or contact

Dr Mark Heffernan

CEO

Tel +353 1 8968499

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