Science
Antibodies, and in particular Immunoglobulin G (IgG) are an important element of the protective immune response. In some situations, however, IgGs can be pathogenic or harmful.
In autoimmune conditions for example, the immune system mistakenly mounts an attack against the body’s own cells and tissues. In other instances, antibodies interfere with and undermine the success of gene therapies and certain procedures including transplantation.
Hansa Biopharma’s proprietary antibody-cleaving enzymes, imlifidase and HNSA-5487, target and inactivate IgG antibodies in the blood and tissues, inhibiting the IgG-mediated immune responses. With their rapid onset of action that temporarily reduces IgG below detectable level in 2-6 hours, these enzymes help halt the progression of IgG-driven acute autoimmune diseases, as well as enable lifesaving and life altering procedures and therapies.
Our IgG-cleaving enzymes
Imlifidase
Imlifidase is an IgG-inactivating therapy based on a cysteine protease originating from Streptococcus pyogenes. It is designed to have a unique mechanism of action and a high specificity to IgG antibodies. The use of imlifidase is a novel approach to eliminate pathogenic IgG. Given its rapid onset of action, imlifidase cleaves IgG-antibodies and inhibits their activity within hours after administration.
HNSA-5487
HNSA-5487 is Hansa’s next-generation IgG-cleaving enzyme with the potential to prolong the IgG-low window. In 2023, Hansa conducted the first-in-human trial of HNSA-5487 (NICE-01) reporting positive high-level results on safety and tolerability and observing complete depletion of IgG antibodies at increasing doses.