Innate Immune Technology - PAMPs
Although the innate immune system is considered “non-specific,” it does recognize highly conserved, pathogen-specific molecules known as Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs). Innate immune response is often initiated by the binding of PAMPs to select receptors on innate immune cells. Simply put, PAMPs are natural molecular structures that the innate immune system uses to recognize foreign pathogens and to trigger innate immune cells to kill the pathogen and to activate the adaptive immune system.
This process of recognition is mediated through several receptors found on innate immune cells. Functionally, the immune response can differ depending on what type of immune cell and which receptor the PAMP is bound to and whether it is bound by an individual receptor or multiple receptors at the same time. Receptor binding of PAMPs can trigger an immune response that includes engulfing or eating the pathogen (phagocytosis), sending chemical messages called “cytokines” to other immune cells to activate them, and killing the pathogen. Biothera has developed a technology to direct this innate immune cell function against other disease targets.
Biothera’s technology involves natural PAMP structures found in the cell walls of yeast. These compounds are chains of glucose molecules (polysaccharides or glucans) connected by a very specific linkage pattern (beta 1,3/1,6 glucan). There has been significant research published on the ability of PAMPs to induce immune responses. Biothera has developed technology surrounding the production, purification, and characterization of natural PAMP molecules that can be used as immune modulators. The binding of these molecules to specific receptors on innate immune cells activates select immune responses that can be used to target various diseases.
Biothera’s technology includes a number of patented polysaccharide compounds that are well characterized as to form, size and shape. Biothera’s research has identified the specific mechanism of action of these compounds. The significance of the technology is that these compounds each have unique molecular features that result in their ability to bind to specialized innate immune cell receptors that can trigger select immune responses. Research has demonstrated that when these compounds are used in combination with certain drug therapies, they have a synergistic effect leading to significantly enhanced efficacy. The result is a platform technology with the potential to be used in multiple combination therapies against multiple disease indications.