Development of a novel human primary T-cell assay for translation of preclinical discovery to patients with autoimmune diseases

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"Metrion Biosciences recently (January 2018) established a specialist ion channel drug discovery subsidiary, Metrion Pharma Ltd (Metrion). The Company is wholly owned by Metrion Biosciences. Ion channels are proteins located in cell membranes that are responsible for controlling nerve impulses, muscle contractions, beating of the heart, function of the senses and the physiological activity of many other cells and tissues. Based at Granta Park, Cambridge, Metrion Pharma has a expert understanding of the function of ion channels in health and disease and a unique skillset to design and develop medicines against these proteins.Metrion Biosciences identified small molecule inhibitors of potassium channels involved in auto-immune conditions such as psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and atopic dermatitis, and this portfolio has been licensed to Metrion Pharma (Metrion). This grant will enable Metrion to create a unique human T-cell model of autoimmune diseases to improve the likelihood of success in clinical trials and to decrease attrition in the drug development process.If successful, this grant funded project will enable Metrion to pioneer the development of medicines that have been tested in human cells, thereby reducing attrition of the drug development process. This project will form the foundation for Metrion to build its drug discovery pipeline.Metrion's management team and advisors have extensive experience in ion channel research, autoimmune drug discovery and medicinal chemistry, and have a successful track record in delivering new drug molecules to the clinic. Through this grant Metrion will exploit its drug discovery expertise to create new assays to reduce risk in the development process. Testing of Metrion's lead potassium channel molecules will support the generation of orally active disease modifying agents for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, with a particular focus on unmet medical needs in multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis."