Sopping up SAP

A team of European researchers has developed an antibody-small molecule combination that treats amyloidosis by lowering levels of a protein called serum amyloid P component in both circulation and solid organs.¹ The therapy has shown efficacy in mouse models of the disease, and GlaxoSmithKline plc has exclusively in-licensed the IP. The pharmais preparing a humanized antibody against the protein for clinical studies.

Amyloidosis is caused by the misfolding of proteins that normally are soluble but instead get deposited as insoluble amyloid fibrils in one or more organs. This deposition leads to organ failure and, in some cases, death...