Our Science

Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways play a crucial role in mounting potent innate immune responses against invading pathogens, as well as the subsequent engagement of adaptive immunity. TLR9 is a key intracellular TLR present in broad immune cell populations such as B lymphocytes and myeloid cells. Synthetic CpG oligonucleotides are potent TLR9 agonists, and they can stimulate antitumoral cytokine production and immune activation via TLR9 signaling. The potential of TLR9 activation for treating cancer is demonstrated clinically with various CpG molecules administered intra-tumorally in melanoma patients1.

Building upon this clinically validated TLR pathway, we aim to develop systemic medicines with potent single agent activity and differentiated safety profiles, with therapeutic potential for monotherapy and combination approaches across multiple solid tumor indications.

1 Hamid O, Ismail R, Puzanov I. Intratumoral Immunotherapy—Update 2019. The Oncol. 2019; 25:343–359.

Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways play a crucial role in mounting potent innate immune responses against invading pathogens, as well as the subsequent engagement of adaptive immunity. TLR9 is a key intracellular TLR present in broad immune cell populations such as B lymphocytes and myeloid cells. Synthetic CpG oligonucleotides are potent TLR9 agonists, and they can stimulate antitumoral cytokine production and immune activation via TLR9 signaling. The potential of TLR9 activation for treating cancer is demonstrated clinically with various CpG molecules administered intra-tumorally in melanoma patients1.

Building upon this clinically validated TLR pathway, we aim to develop systemic medicines with potent single agent activity and differentiated safety profiles, with therapeutic potential for monotherapy and combination approaches across multiple solid tumor indications.

1 Hamid O, Ismail R, Puzanov I. Intratumoral Immunotherapy—Update 2019. The Oncol. 2019; 25:343–359.

TRAAC

  • T-CpG is comprised of monomeric CpG-containing oligonucleotides optimized for potency and stability as an antibody conjugate.
  • TRAAC utilizes site-specific conjugation, allowing precise control of the positioning and number of T-CpG molecules conjugated. This in turn enables fine tuning of the conjugate activity.
  • The activation of specific immune cell populations systemically or in the local tumor microenvironment is achieved by selecting the appropriate cellular targets and antibodies for T-CpG conjugation.

TRAAC: Versatile Immune Activation Platform