In September 2016 the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) and the WILEX subsidiary Heidelberg Pharma signed an option agreement with the goal of developing a new therapy for the treatment of multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells in bone marrow. Under the terms of the agreement, Heidelberg Pharma will couple MDC antibodies that specifically bind to plasma cells to a toxin that occurs in Amanita mushrooms such as the death cap. These innovative ‘precision weapons’ transport their toxic cargo directly to diseased plasma cells. The principle has already been validated by the partners in a previous cooperation, and preclinical testing is underway. Clinical trials are planned to start in 2018. ‘Despite significant advances, multiple myeloma is still not curable, so this extremely productive cooperation brings great hope,’ comments Dr Michael Karle from Ascenion, who together with his colleagues initiated the cooperation and negotiated the agreement.
