”The Phase I trial demonstrates that IdeS is safe, fast and efficacious at the tested dose levels. For a new desensitization protocol, these are exactly the characteristics transplantation surgeons around the world are looking for. We now look forward to begin a Phase II study with patients awaiting kidney transplantation at Uppsala University Hospital during spring 2014. The performed Phase I study with IdeS is our greatest success to date. We are very happy and proud of this result.” states Emanuel Björne, CEO of Hansa Medical AB.

The Phase I study with IdeS was performed March 2013 to January 2014 and included 29 healthy subjects. The study was a double blind, randomized study in healthy subjects administered intravenous single doses of IdeS or placebo. Study objectives were to study safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and IgG-cleaving effect of the drug candidate IdeS.

IdeS enables transplantation
Hansa Medical is developing the drug candidate IdeS for treatment in conjunction with kidney transplantation. IdeS is an enzyme that cleaves and inactivates IgG-antibodies. In a healthy individual, IgG-antibodies constitute a well functioning part of the immune system. However, in several medical conditions IgG-antibodies can cause problems.

For 15 to 30 percent of patients waiting for kidney transplantation, so-called donor specific antibodies (antibodies hostile to a potential donor organ) constitute an immediate barrier for transplantation. Today, there are no methods available for fast and efficient reduction of antibody levels prior to transplantation. Consequently, these patients rarely, if ever, qualify for transplantation. Instead, they are referred to many years in dialysis, associated with increased risk of infections, cardiovascular diseases and significantly shortened life expectancy.

The drug candidate IdeS has the potential to become the primary treatment method facilitating transplantation for this group of patients. Estimated market potential point to SEK 1 billion per year in the U.S. and Europe alone.