Metrion Biosciences & Bioqube Ventures Collaborate on Venture Creation Project to Identify Novel Ion Channel Inhibitors for Autoimmune Diseases

Metrion Biosciences Limited and Bioqube Ventures recently announced they have entered into a collaboration, backed by Bioqube Factory Fund I, to incubate a drug discovery research project targeting autoimmune diseases.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Bioqube and Metrion will advance a lead series of previously identified highly potent and selective small molecule inhibitors of the human Kv1.3 potassium ion channel to enable further development. Activation of this voltage-gated ion channel in effector memory T-cells is thought to be an early and necessary step in the development of auto-immune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus nephritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and many others. The lead candidate(s) will then be progressed for further development and human clinical trials. Metrion will provide its expertise in ion channel assays and compound characterisation, with additional support from undisclosed medicinal chemistry and ADME and Toxicology partners.

Bioqube Factory Fund I has a clear focus on the discovery and development of new therapeutic platforms and assets. Bioqube looks to exclusively invest in the most promising innovative science in Europe, applying a dual investment proposition including a venture creation model.

Dirk Reyn, Managing Partner, Bioqube Ventures, commented “This collaboration is part of our venture creation model in which we invest in projects, our so called Create Projects, prior to the creation of a company. Through these Create Projects we invest directly in assets that are residing within academia, biotech, pharma, or in this case with Metrion, a CRO, with the aim to derisk and mature these programmes before we fully build portfolio companies around them. We are very pleased to now be supporting this promising project with Metrion Biosciences.”

Dr Keith McCullagh, Chairman, Metrion Biosciences, said “We are delighted to be working with Bioqube Ventures on this exciting project. They have an excellent understanding of the criteria for successful pharmaceutical development and the potential breakthrough opportunity represented by human Kv1.3 inhibitors in the treatment of autoimmune disorders.”

Bioqube Ventures is a specialist life sciences investment firm founded in 2016. The team consist out of investment professionals, sector experts and serial entrepreneurs that have a proven track record in successfully building and leading companies on their growth paths. In 2020, Bioqube Ventures launched the Bioqube Factory Fund I, a 110 MEUR fund with a clear focus on the discovery and development of new therapeutic platforms and assets. With a diversified investment strategy, including a venture creation model and industry guidance through selected strategic partnerships, Bioqube Ventures will exclusively invest in the most promising innovative science in Europe. Bioqube Factory Fund I is supported by InnovFin Equity, with the financial backing of the European Union under Horizon 2020 Financial Instruments and the European Fund for Strategic Investments (“EFSI”) set up under the Investment Plan for Europe. For more information, visit  www.bioqubeventures.com.

Metrion Biosciences is a specialist ion-channel contract research organization and drug discovery business. The Company provides customers with access to a range of high-quality ion channel assays on a fee-for-service or collaboration basis. Metrion Biosciences’ ion channel expertise includes an industry leading panel of in vitro cardiac ion channel safety assays, translational native cell and phenotypic assays for neurological and cardiotoxicity testing, and a range of other ion channel screening services such as cell line development and optimization. Metrion Biosciences is able to provide tailored assay formats, data analysis and reporting solutions, effective project management and quality assured data packages. For more information, visit www.metrionbiosciences.com