The role of the Interleukin 13 (IL-13), a factor involved in the body’s immune defense system, has been demonstrated to be prominent in malignancy. The IL-13 molecule binds IL-13 receptors on normal cells that results in a signaling cascade that mediates the body’s immune system to respond to foreign cells, such as cancer. In the case of cancer, too much IL-13 results in reduced tumor immunosurveillance, or the body’s recognition of cancer, resulting in an uninhibited tumor progression.

Mechanism of Action
Targepeutics’ technology involves genetically engineering the IL-13 molecule that is naturally present in the body to a modified form that binds the normal IL-13 receptor, but does not activate the signaling from the receptor. Thus, Targepeutics’ compounds should effectively negate the role of endogenous IL-13 by a double mechanism of blocking receptors and inhibiting signaling. Neutralizing natural IL-13 has demonstrated a marked increase in the body’s ability to fight off cancer cells and tumors (NIH study).

Targepeutics has multiple generations of advanced mutated IL-13 molecules that will be well suited to play a major role in the field of cancer immunotherapy, helping the body’s natural immune system fight the cancer alone or in combination with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Cancer Applications

Vaccines
Targepeutics will be developing vaccines against brain cancer that stimulate the body’s immune system to produce an anti-tumor response. High-grade astrocytoma recurrence is the cause of fatal complication of this disease. Targepeutics’ vaccines will help the body’s natural defenses fight off the early stage tumor cells that may spread from the initial location and restart tumor growth. This approach has promising applications for other diseases that express the restricted receptor for IL-13.

GLIOVAX Product Development Status:
Preliminary Studies	Animal Studies At Lab Purity	Pure Form Manufacture	Repeat Animal Studies For Dose	File IND	Begin Phase I Clinical Trial
Positive/Completed	Ongoing	*TBD	*TBD	*TBD	*TBD

* - To Be Determined based on funding

Asthma Applications
IL-13 has been shown to play a central role in inducing the inflammation that results in allergic asthma. The signaling cascade initiated by the IL-13 receptor when bound by natural IL-13 facilitates other players of the immune response and exacerbates this response. Recent studies show that blocking the IL-13 component of the asthmatic reaction dramatically reduces the inflammation and deleterious consequences of allergic asthma. Targepeutics’ sophisticated, genetically engineered IL-13 antagonists can be applied to block the IL-13 receptors and their signalling pathway. The small soluble proteinaceous nature of Targepeutics’ compounds make them well suited for inhaler delivery applications.

TARG-ALLERG I-200, 201, 202 A growing number of studies completed throughout the scientific community have verified the treatment strategy of TARG-ALLERG I-100, 101 and 102. Since asthma falls outside of Targepeutics’ cancer expertise and asthma clinical trial expenses will be substantial, the Company is looking for a large company partner to develop the commercial application of this technology.

We are passionate about medicine and confident about our impact on future medical care of patients. Through our expertise we discover & develop new therapies that will revolutionize medical care. Lynn W. Maines, Ph.D., M.B.A. Vice President, Business Development & Operations