ABOUT ISLEX THERAPEUTICSBuilt around the β-cell
Islex Therapeutics is a precision biotechnology company developing targeted therapies for diabetes with severe beta-cell loss. We work on the cell at the centre of the disease, and on an approach we expect to support more than one program.
OUR POSITIONWhere the field goes wide, we go narrow
The beta cell is the site of the disease
Type 1 diabetes damages a tissue that makes up a fraction of a percent of body mass. Therapies distributed throughout the body may deliver limited activity where it is actually needed.
Targeting changes the arithmetic
Concentrating activity where the disease is happening is intended to raise local exposure while limiting exposure elsewhere. That is the question our preclinical program is built to answer.
A route, not just a drug
If an antibody reliably reaches β-cells, it may also be able to carry other payloads there. We are evaluating that possibility rather than asserting it.
THE SCIENCE
Where the disease begins
Beta cells make, store and release the insulin the body depends on. In type 1 diabetes they are lost. Everything Islex works on starts from that cell.
WHAT HAS BEEN SHOWN, AND WHERETarget specificity. ZnT8 expression is highly restricted to the pancreas at both RNA and protein level. Staining in mouse tissue and human islets shows binding to insulin-secreting β-cells.
Internalization. Binding at the cell surface is followed by uptake and trafficking to the endoplasmic reticulum.
Preclinical models. ILX-101 has been evaluated in NOD mice and in human islet models. Independent validation of the parent antibody was carried out across four laboratories at Johns Hopkins University.
All findings described are preclinical. ILX-101 has not been studied in humans.
Our Team
Joel Schneider, PhD
Previously, President and CEO of Carbon Biosciences, leading a parvovirus-based gene therapy platform. Before that, an early leader at Solid Biosciences, joining as its first employee and advancing to COO and CTO through the company's IPO and platform scale-up. PhD in biological and biomedical sciences from Rutgers University, with postdoctoral training at Harvard.
President & Chief Executive Officer, Board of DirectorsLaura Knecht, MD
Senior clinical research and development leader in endocrinology and type 1 diabetes, with more than 20 years in clinical endocrinology. Previously at Sanofi and Provention Bio, where she led cross-functional global teams advancing the first approved disease-modifying therapy for type 1 diabetes and secured nine global regulatory approvals.
Chief Medical OfficerBrian Collins, PhD
Senior leader across analytical development, process development, quality control and manufacturing. Founded and built the protein biologics platform at Momenta Pharmaceuticals, work that contributed to the antibody therapeutic nipocalimab. PhD in pharmacology from Johns Hopkins University, with postdoctoral training at The Scripps Research Institute.
SVP, Head of CMCMichelle Higgin, PhD
Development and regulatory strategist with over 15 years spanning discovery, DMPK, CMC, preclinical pharmacology, nonclinical, regulatory and early-phase clinical work. Has opened more than 40 INDs, IMPDs, CTAs and NDAs in the US, Europe and Australia. Managing Principal at Pharma Directions. PhD in biochemistry.
ILX-101 Project Lead