One of the most successful therapeutics ever produced is Rituximab, an CD20 specific antibody that targets B-cells and is used to treat some cancers and autoimmune diseases. Due to Rituximab’s limited efficacy profile, it is typically administered in combination with more toxic drugs.
To make a safer and more effective Rituximab, Centrose developed EDC9. EDC9 is the only antibody drug conjugate (ADC) that targets CD20.
Unlike all other drugs acting on CD20, EDC9 has been shown to kill cells expressing high and low levels of CD20. Because the affect is so specific and potent, Centrose depressed the complement-directed toxicity affects of Rituximab and lessened the risks during infusion.
Studies in primates show that EDC9 clears all detectable CD20 expressing cells without side-effects. Currently EDC9 is in the manufacturing stage of development.