Leopard Biosciences - MAxL

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^08/2024

Leopard Biosciences joins MAxL to further develop innovative Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Current molecular diagnostics tests are too complex and too expensive to be used at the Point-of-Care. Leopard Biosciences is democratizing molecular diagnostics by developing instrument-free, easy-to-use, multiplex point-of-care tests with short turnaround time and low cost of goods. Leopard tests combine the simplicity of lateral flow assays with the accuracy of PCR. Our patented LEOPARD technology provides freedom-to-operate in the contested CRISPR IP space.

The first Leopard test genotypes the DYPD gene in patients prior to receiving fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy to avoid life-threatening toxicity in carriers of a DPYD minor allele. In Europe, all 600,000 patients/year are currently being tested by PCR or sequencing as the only available options, requiring shipping to central labs with long TAT and increased cost. The follow-on Leopard test detects RSV and other common respiratory viruses in young children, who can suffer severe consequences from an RSV infection. Current POC RSV tests are not sensitive enough to exclude hospitalization and central lab tests are slow and expensive.

Through support from the Novo Nordisk Foundation-backed BioInnovation Institute and grants from the Helmholtz Association, Leopard Biosciences has achieved key development milestones and is now raising a seed round to hire key team members, build the product development infrastructure and develop the first product.

The most advanced drug candidate, RCS-21, is currently in development for the treatment of patients with acute respiratory hyperinflammation after viral infections, such as influenza, RSV, or SARS-CoV-2. The clinical trial application was submitted to BfArM in Q3 2024 and upon approval, first-in-human phase I clinical trial will be started. The innovative trial design allows not only to demonstrate safety and tolerability but will also already show successful drug delivery to lung macrophages and target engagement of RCS-21.

In addition, novel treatments based on this targeting technology for chronic inflammatory lung diseases, such as COPD and ILD, and rare lung diseases are actively developed to expand the drug pipeline.

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