Anokion SA is a clinical-stage Swiss biotechnology company focused on restoring normal immune tolerance to treat autoimmune diseases. Its lead candidate, KAN-101, is an investigational therapy designed to induce tolerance to gliadin via natural liver pathways for celiac disease and has received FDA Fast Track designation. Data from the Phase 1 ACeD study presented at DDW 2022 showed KAN-101 was safe and tolerated, reduced T cell responses following gluten challenge, and demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of gluten-induced serum IL-2. Based on those findings, Anokion is preparing to initiate patient dosing in a Phase 2 clinical trial in the second half of 2022. The company also pursues earlier-stage programs targeting multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes using its immune-based platform. The release references operations in Lausanne, Switzerland (and cites Cambridge, Mass. in the announcement header). Anokion focuses on treating autoimmune diseases by restoring normal immune tolerance using an immune-based platform that targets natural pathways in the liver. Its lead product, ANK-780, is an antigen-specific treatment for multiple sclerosis. The company acquired Kanyos Bio, adding KAN-101, an antigen-specific treatment for celiac disease that is in late preclinical development with an IND expected by the end of 2019. Anokion anticipates having two programs in clinical development within the next 12 months. The company has an existing collaboration with Celgene to develop immune-modulating programs for autoimmune diseases. Anokion operates from Cambridge, Mass. and Lausanne, Switzerland and has strengthened its management team and board following the transactions. Anokion advances an antigen-specific immune tolerance platform to develop therapeutics for multiple autoimmune indications and to reduce the immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins. Its lead approaches include engineering antigens to bind glycophorin A on erythrocytes so that apoptotic red blood cells elicit a tolerogenic immune response, and a liver-targeted tolerance strategy that attaches engineered antigens to liver cells. The platform is described as translatable to virtually any protein across numerous clinical indications. The company announced an exclusive global research collaboration with Celgene that included a $45 million upfront payment and eligibility for an additional $10 million tied to preclinical milestones. Celgene also obtained an equity interest and an exclusive right to acquire Anokion at pre-specified option exercise points, while Anokion retains full control of its R&D during the option period. Anokion is a spin-off from EPFL and lists Versant Ventures, Novo Ventures, Novartis Venture Fund and a group of individual investors among its backers. Anokion develops a technology to retrain white blood cells to induce therapeutic immune tolerance, aiming to reduce the immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins and to treat autoimmune and allergic diseases. The company has demonstrated efficacy by creating a tolerogenic form of asparaginase, a protein drug used to treat a form of leukemia. Anokion is an exclusive licensee of EPFL’s patent filings covering the technology. It was founded as a spin-off from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) by Jeff Hubbell. The company closed a CHF33m (approximately $37.5m) Series A to advance clinical candidates in immune-masked protein therapeutics, autoimmune and allergic indications, with first clinical trials planned for 2017. Following the financing, senior representatives from the lead investors joined the board and Jens Kurth joined the management team as Chief Technology Officer.

Total raised

$157M

Funding rounds

4

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Oct 2022