GHENT, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Confo Therapeutics, a leader in the discovery of novel medicines targeting G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), today announced a publication in Nature Communications demonstrating the world’s first structure of a complex between an antibody-based agonist and a Class A GPCR, specifically the melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R). MC4R belongs to the melanocortin receptor family of GPCRs and is a key switch in the leptin-melanocortin molecular axis that controls hunger and satiety.
Confo applied its proprietary platform technology to enable the de novo discovery of a diverse panel of fully agonistic MC4R-specific antibody sequences. The most potent agonist, pN162, is the first reported melanocortin receptor ligand that is specific to MC4R and shows full agonist pharmacology. It does not bind to nor induce signaling by any other human melanocortin receptor subtype. Current MC4R peptide agonists for the treatment of (genetic) obesity lack this selectivity and therefore lead to off-target side effects. Confo’s discovery has the potential to be suitable for anti-obesity therapeutic intervention via MC4R.
In the publication, Confo further demonstrated the first-ever cryo-EM structure of a complex between an antibody-based agonist, a GPCR and the G-proteins. This was enabled by Confo’s patent-protected ConfoBody® Cb35 (Nb35). The structure revealed a highly distinct interaction with pN162 binding deeply in the orthosteric pocket without agonising any other melanocortin receptors. Elucidating the interaction between agonistic antibodies and GPCRs in their active state provides an important foundation for future drug discovery efforts to allow successful agonist antibody development, which has been notoriously challenging within the industry. The results put forth in the publication demonstrate the potential of Confo’s novel approach to discovering this class of therapeutic molecule.
“One of Confo’s key strengths is our unique ability to develop antibody-based GPCR agonists as an emerging class of medicines, and we continue to explore their full potential across multiple targets,” said Dr. Christel Menet, CSO of Confo Therapeutics. “The research and results published in Nature Communications will guide us as we broaden and advance our discovery efforts in metabolic and endocrine indications.”
“These data show that we are capable of unlocking a new route for developing innovative medicines targeting GPCRs,” said Cedric Ververken, Ph.D., CEO of Confo Therapeutics. “The publication of our research and scientific discovery in Nature Communications is a significant validation for our platform and a recognition of its potential to address long-standing challenges in GPCR drug discovery, with the goal of bringing novel and improved treatments to patients.”
Confo holds exclusive licenses in the field of GPCRs through the “Steyaert patents,” a patent estate comprising over 200 granted patents in 7 distinct patent families which cover various aspects of the ConfoBody® platform. This includes the recently granted US patent 12,092,646 which relates to ConfoBody®-based screening methods for small molecules and antibodies, following the earlier grant of similar patent claims in Europe.
About Confo Therapeutics
Confo Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to identifying and accelerating novel medicines targeting GPCRs (G protein-coupled receptors). It discovers small molecules and antibodies with the desired pharmacology by employing its proprietary discovery platform which uses conformation-specific ConfoBodies® to promote GPCRs into functionally relevant states. Using its platform, the company is building a pipeline of product candidates to transform therapeutic outcomes for patients with a focus on metabolic and endocrine diseases. The Company’s mission is being advanced by a team of highly experienced industry experts with extensive knowledge of the discovery and development of GPCR-directed medicines. Confo Therapeutics is headquartered in Ghent, Belgium. For more information, visit www.confotherapeutics.com
