Author: Trophic Communications

• Publication supports Topas’ approach to generating immune tolerance through in vivo autoimmune disease model data in type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis
• Topas’ platform leverages the capability of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells to promote tolerance in autoantigen-driven diseases

Hamburg, Germany, March 17, 2025 – Topas Therapeutics today announced the publication of data highlighting the ability of its proprietary antigen-coupled nanoparticles’ to achieve tolerance induction in relevant autoimmune disease models, under the title “Nanoparticle Platform Preferentially Targeting Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells Induces Tolerance in CD4+ T Cell-Mediated Disease Models” in the journal Frontiers in Immunology. The Topas platform consists of Topas Particles (TPs), that serve as a highly flexible scaffold for coupling with disease-relevant antigens to generate Topas Particle Conjugates (TPCs) that preferentially harness liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) to generate antigen-specific tolerance. The publication describes the ability of TPCs to specifically reach LSECs and to generate tolerance in well-established animal disease models of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In addition to the proof-of-concept data from the Phase 2a trial evaluating Topas’ lead candidate TPM502 in adults with celiac disease, the preclinical data reported in the publication underscores the broad potential of this innovative platform approach.

In vivo data included in the publication show that intravenous administration of TPCs resulted in predominant uptake by LSECs with negligible uptake by other non-parenchymal liver cells, confirming its cellular targeting specificity. LSECs are lining the liver sinusoids, a position that puts them in direct contact with antigens in the blood. This location, combined with their extraordinary clearance and tolerogenic function, facilitate LSECs’ rapid uptake of nanosized peptide carriers for antigen-specific tolerance induction in various CD4+ T cell-dependent disease models. In a translational mouse model of T1D, a Topas particle mixture comprising five different peptide-coupled TPCs, significantly reduced the frequency of hyperglycemia onsets compared to control, suggesting that even for complex diseases such as T1D, induction of immune tolerance is possible. In a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), administration of TPCs both prior to disease induction and during disease onset, significantly attenuated disease severity and mitigated demyelination within spinal cords as compared to the control, highlighting the TPCs’ ability to induce tolerance prophylactically and therapeutically.

“These published results, coupled with the efficacy data we have established in celiac disease, further support our broad development strategy of advancing TPM502 into a Phase 2b study in celiac disease patients while expanding our pipeline with TPC candidates in highly prevalent autoimmune diseases,” said Cristina de Min, MD, CMO of Topas Therapeutics. “We look forward to presenting the full data analysis of our Phase 2a study during the Digestive Disease Week in San Diego in May, as a further clinical demonstration of what we believe can be transformative approach in promoting immune tolerance.”

“The publication in Frontiers in Immunology underscores the potential of the innovative Topas platform for reinstating antigen-specific tolerance in many autoimmune diseases, while avoiding the complications of broad immunosuppression,” said Hugo Fry, CEO of Topas Therapeutics. “The data pave the way for exploring our TPCs in indications like type 1 diabetes and serves as a foundation to realize the significant potential across autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases.”

The open access article is available via this link.

• TPM502 demonstrated a good safety profile in celiac disease patients
• The data indicates proof of concept that TPM502 induced targeted, antigen-specific tolerogenic effects in humans
• TPM502-induced antigen-specific effects were observed to persist throughout the study follow-up period
• The study data supports the potential application of the Topas platform in a broad range of autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases

Hamburg, Germany, October 15^th, 2024 – Topas Therapeutics today announced positive topline results from its Phase 2a trial evaluating lead candidate, TPM502, in patients with celiac disease. The study data serves as the first clinical proof of concept for Topas’ proprietary nanoparticle platform and its potential to induce targeted, antigen-specific tolerogenic effects.

The international, multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2a trial (NCT05660109) was initiated in 2023 to investigate the safety, tolerability and pharmacodynamics of two infusions of TPM502 in adult patients with celiac disease.  Pharmacodynamic parameters were assessed through a gluten challenge after patients received treatment with TPM502 or placebo. Initial analysis showed that antigen-specific markers of tolerance induction exhibited a clear dose-response that reached statistical significance. Further, these antigen-specific effects persisted throughout the study’s follow-up period. TPM502 was safe at all doses investigated. Topas intends to submit the full data and analysis for presentation at an upcoming scientific conference and for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

“This first look at the TPM502 Phase 2a data is an important milestone for the Topas team and our mission to demonstrate that our platform induces antigen-specific tolerogenic effects. The data generated in this study underscore the potential of this versatile, novel modality in a broad spectrum of autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases,” said Hugo Fry, CEO of Topas Therapeutics. “We believe these results provide a valuable springboard to the next stage of development for Topas and position the company extremely well in the immune-tolerance space.”

Topas’ lead candidate, TPM502, leverages the company’s proprietary platform, a nanotechnology-based modality designed to induce targeted, antigen-specific immune tolerance. TPM502 is comprised of a mixture of nanoparticles that carry the major gluten epitopes for HLA-DQ2.5, present in the majority of celiac disease patients. TPM502 has been developed to establish long-term immune tolerance that will offer significant therapeutic benefit to celiac patients, who currently have no treatment options.

The initiation of the Phase 2a study for TPM502 builds on promising preclinical data and the excellent safety profile demonstrated in the Phase 1 study assessing Topas’ TPM203 in pemphigus vulgaris patients. The company’s next development steps for TPM502 will be based on the full data analysis.

• With 30 years of experience across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, Hugo Fry will lead Topas’ strategic efforts ahead of Phase 2a data readout for lead program TPM502 in celiac disease

Hamburg, Germany, May 7th, 2024 – Topas Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company developing novel antigen-specific immune tolerance therapies to treat autoimmune disorders, announced today the appointment of Hugo Fry as its new Chief Executive Officer. Bringing three decades of experience including senior management and executive roles at both large pharmaceutical and innovative biotechnology companies, Hugo has a significant track record in leading companies from early research and development through product commercialization.

“Hugo joins Topas at the right time to provide his broad expertise and strategic direction as we advance our mission of developing novel, disease-modifying treatment options for a range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases,” commented Erich F. Greiner, Executive Chairman of Topas Therapeutics. “With data from a Phase 2a trial of lead candidate TPM502 in celiac disease expected later this year, we believe Hugo’s leadership will drive value for the company and fully leverage the potential of its innovative approach.”

“Topas is at the forefront of tolerance induction therapy with a cutting-edge nanoparticle technology platform designed to elicit immune tolerization in T-cell-mediated diseases,” said Hugo Fry, CEO of Topas Therapeutics. “As I take the helm, I am excited to advance the work of this talented team and look forward to leading Topas’ strategic efforts to progress our corporate and clinical development.”

Hugo Fry has an extensive and diverse career spanning three decades within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, characterized by strategic and leadership roles, including Chief Commercial Officer at Imbria Pharmaceuticals and Chief Business Officer and Managing Director at 20Med Therapeutics as well as CEO of RQ Biotechnology. With a focus on guiding companies toward success, Hugo has previously led R&D, Industrial Affairs as well as Commercial teams and is experienced in licensing, fundraising and forging strategic partnerships. He has also held several executive positions spanning multiple countries, including Managing Director of Sanofi UK and Ireland, and Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Sanofi Pasteur MSD joint venture, along with being the Vice-President of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. Hugo holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Salford and has completed further studies in Finance at London Business School and Leadership at Duke University.