MimiVax

MV2C2 antibody as a new therapeutic for Myasthenia Gravis

Industry: Health

Country: USA

Website: https://www.mimivax.com/

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by muscle weakness, and caused by autoantibodies, mainly targeting the muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and the muscle specific kinase (MuSK) in the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). These antibodies are produced by a specific subset of lymphocytes yet not fully characterized. For this reason, no MG treatment is able to specifically target the cells producing autoantibodies and current treatments are poorlyeffective and uniformly have adverse effects, which negatively impact quality of life. Despite being a rare disease, MG is a costly one with a hospitalization expense of half a billion dollars per year.

 

To overcome this clinical, scientific and socio-economic challenge MimiVax proposes the development of a new specific therapy, the MV2C2 antibody. It will target the specific subset of cells proving that they are the ones playing a critical role in the production of autoantibodies. The specific eradication of this subset of cells will eliminate the presence of autoantibodies. Moreover, it will significantly improve the signs and symptoms of the disease reducing dramatically the adverse effects of the current therapies.