Regeneron
Encyclopedia
Regeneron is a biotechnology
company headquartered in Tarrytown
, in New York
, USA. The company was founded in 1988. Originally focused on neurotrophic factors
and their regenerative capabilities (thus the name), it branched out into the study of both cytokine
and tyrosine kinase
receptors - leading to the three potential products currently in clinical development: two products which are based on the "VEGF Trap" (aflibercept and VEGF Trap-Eye), and the "IL-1 Trap" (rilonacept).
In February 2008 the FDA approved Regeneron's first commercial product, ARCALYST (rilonacept) Injection for Subcutaneous Use for a rare inflammatory condition.http://newsroom.regeneron.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=214847&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1113347&highlight=
Today, Regeneron is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines for the treatment of serious medical conditions. In addition to ARCALYST, its first commercialized product, Regeneron is developing protein
-based pharmaceuticals in the fields of cancer
(oncology
), inflammation
(including autoimmune diseases), and ophthalmology
. Regeneron also has preclinical programs in other diseases and disorders.
, or VEGF
, is a protein growth factor which is required for formation of blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis
. In the adult human, angiogenesis is only consistently active in the gut - however in pathological cases such as cancer, where a solid tumor grows rapidly and therefore requires a blood supply, there is also active angiogenesis. Therefore, the blockade of VEGF is a potentially viable strategy for treating solid tumors.
Regeneron's strategy to block VEGF is to make use of the growth factor's natural receptor, the VEGF Receptor. The extra-cellular domain of the receptor
is used to bind, or "trap" VEGF, and thereby keep it from binding receptors on the surface of blood vessels. This constitutes a fusion protein named aflibercept .
Clinical trials of VEGF Trap in cancer are presented at ASCO 2007.
A distinct strategy is used by Genentech
. Genentech has developed an antibody called Avastin that binds VEGF. Avastin is already approved for the treatment of colon cancer.
2. IL-1 Trap. IL-1 or Interleukin-1 is a cytokine
capable of inducing inflammation
. The IL-1 Trap makes use of the extracellular domains of the ligand's
receptors
; the trap thereby blocks IL-1 from binding and activating receptors on the surface of cells.
3. VEGF Trap - Eye. A version of the VEGF Trap formulated for delivery to the eye, for treatment of macular degeneration
.
2. VelocImmune - for the rapid generation of human monoclonal antibodies
.
3. Traps - for the generation of receptor-based inhibitors.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
company headquartered in Tarrytown
Tarrytown, New York
Tarrytown is a village in the town of Greenburgh in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, about north of midtown Manhattan in New York City, and is served by a stop on the Metro-North Hudson Line...
, in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA. The company was founded in 1988. Originally focused on neurotrophic factors
Neurotrophic factors
Neurotrophic factors are a family of proteins that are responsible for the growth and survival of developing neurons and the maintenance of mature neurons...
and their regenerative capabilities (thus the name), it branched out into the study of both cytokine
Cytokine
Cytokines are small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system and by numerous cells of the immune system and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication...
and tyrosine kinase
Tyrosine kinase
A tyrosine kinase is an enzyme that can transfer a phosphate group from ATP to a protein in a cell. It functions as an "on" or "off" switch in many cellular functions....
receptors - leading to the three potential products currently in clinical development: two products which are based on the "VEGF Trap" (aflibercept and VEGF Trap-Eye), and the "IL-1 Trap" (rilonacept).
In February 2008 the FDA approved Regeneron's first commercial product, ARCALYST (rilonacept) Injection for Subcutaneous Use for a rare inflammatory condition.http://newsroom.regeneron.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=214847&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1113347&highlight=
Today, Regeneron is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines for the treatment of serious medical conditions. In addition to ARCALYST, its first commercialized product, Regeneron is developing protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
-based pharmaceuticals in the fields of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
(oncology
Oncology
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer...
), inflammation
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
(including autoimmune diseases), and ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
. Regeneron also has preclinical programs in other diseases and disorders.
Products in Development
1. VEGF Trap. Vascular Endothelial Growth FactorVascular endothelial growth factor
Vascular endothelial growth factor is a signal protein produced by cells that stimulates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. It is part of the system that restores the oxygen supply to tissues when blood circulation is inadequate....
, or VEGF
Vascular endothelial growth factor
Vascular endothelial growth factor is a signal protein produced by cells that stimulates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. It is part of the system that restores the oxygen supply to tissues when blood circulation is inadequate....
, is a protein growth factor which is required for formation of blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis
Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Though there has been some debate over terminology, vasculogenesis is the term used for spontaneous blood-vessel formation, and intussusception is the term for the formation of new blood...
. In the adult human, angiogenesis is only consistently active in the gut - however in pathological cases such as cancer, where a solid tumor grows rapidly and therefore requires a blood supply, there is also active angiogenesis. Therefore, the blockade of VEGF is a potentially viable strategy for treating solid tumors.
Regeneron's strategy to block VEGF is to make use of the growth factor's natural receptor, the VEGF Receptor. The extra-cellular domain of the receptor
Receptor (biochemistry)
In biochemistry, a receptor is a molecule found on the surface of a cell, which receives specific chemical signals from neighbouring cells or the wider environment within an organism...
is used to bind, or "trap" VEGF, and thereby keep it from binding receptors on the surface of blood vessels. This constitutes a fusion protein named aflibercept .
Clinical trials of VEGF Trap in cancer are presented at ASCO 2007.
A distinct strategy is used by Genentech
Genentech
Genentech Inc., or Genetic Engineering Technology, Inc., is a biotechnology corporation, founded in 1976 by venture capitalist Robert A. Swanson and biochemist Dr. Herbert Boyer. Trailing the founding of Cetus by five years, it was an important step in the evolution of the biotechnology industry...
. Genentech has developed an antibody called Avastin that binds VEGF. Avastin is already approved for the treatment of colon cancer.
2. IL-1 Trap. IL-1 or Interleukin-1 is a cytokine
Cytokine
Cytokines are small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system and by numerous cells of the immune system and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication...
capable of inducing inflammation
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
. The IL-1 Trap makes use of the extracellular domains of the ligand's
receptors
Receptor (biochemistry)
In biochemistry, a receptor is a molecule found on the surface of a cell, which receives specific chemical signals from neighbouring cells or the wider environment within an organism...
; the trap thereby blocks IL-1 from binding and activating receptors on the surface of cells.
3. VEGF Trap - Eye. A version of the VEGF Trap formulated for delivery to the eye, for treatment of macular degeneration
Macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is a medical condition which usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field because of damage to the retina. It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults...
.
Technology Platforms
1. Velocigene - for the rapid generation of animal models of disease, such as knockout and transgenic models.2. VelocImmune - for the rapid generation of human monoclonal antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies are monospecific antibodies that are the same because they are made by identical immune cells that are all clones of a unique parent cell....
.
3. Traps - for the generation of receptor-based inhibitors.