Sweden-based Cyxone, a developer of therapies for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis as well as treatments for virally induced acute respiratory disorders, has engaged a major European contract development and manufacturing organization ( CDMO ) for the scale-up and production of the active ingredient of its drug candidate T20K. The production will be performed in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice ( GMP ), exploring a brand-new manufacturing method. The collaboration will initially cover method development and later supply material for use in non-clinical and clinical development activities.

Cyxone is developing T20K, a peptide aimed for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Preclinical data indicate that the drug candidate prevents disease progression in a model system and therefore shows potential to slow or prevent disease progression including preventing the demyelination which causes the symptoms of MS.

“We are pleased to have established a collaboration with one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of therapeutic peptides,” said Tara Heitner, CEO, Cyxone. “T20K GMP manufacturing is an important step before non-clinical safety studies and future clinical studies. A feasibility study will be the first step of this collaboration permitting further optimization of the scale up process. The agreement represents our commitment to the T20K program and indicates that we are on schedule with our non-clinical plans.”