Shares in Faron Pharmaceuticals Limited (AIM:FARN) rose 11% after the company announced a patent application for a new treatment targeting autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders.
Faron’s research has found that the protein Clever-1, produced by certain immune and blood vessel cells, can bind to T-cells—immune cells critical for fighting infections.
By binding to T-cells, Clever-1 stops them from developing into tumour-fighting cells, a mechanism that could have potential downsides for cancer treatments.
However, this T-cell suppression may benefit patients with autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues.
The patent application includes the use of Clever-1 to inactivate T-cells for these conditions.
Faron’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Maija Hollmén, called Clever-1 a “master regulator” of immune tolerance, suggesting this discovery could form the basis of a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs.
"The next steps for targeting Clever-1 for autoimmune diseases are to design the optimal drug composition for these indications," said Peel Hunt in a short note to clients.
The research also flagged up Faron's cancer 'very exciting' drug, bexmarilimab, which is in phase I/II trials for acute myeloid leukaemia.
"As a reminder, Faron’s lead asset bexmarilimab (and its mechanism of action) is a monoclonal antibody that targets myeloid cells, binding to the immunosuppressive receptor Clever-1," said Peel Hunt.
"It has shown very good safety data, whilst demonstrating that it can ‘ignite immunity’, allowing a patient’s own immune system to overcome resistance from the tumour microenvironment."
In afternoon trading, the stock was up 17.5p at 170p, valuing the business at £177 million.