MWTX-003

MWTX-003 is a monoclonal antibody against TMPRSS6 (Transmembrane Serine Protease 6, also
known as Matriptase-2) to induce endogenous expression of hepcidin. By increasing hepcidin levels to
reduce iron levels, our program has the potential to address a wide range of hematologic diseases.

Biological Role of TMPRSS6

Transmembrane Serine Protease 6 (TMPRSS6) plays a critical and specific function in iron metabolism by limiting the production of hepcidin. By inhibiting TMPRSS6 our program is designed to increase the production of hepcidin to therapeutically reduce iron. This mechanism has been validated by human genetics, where patients with mutations in TMPRSS6 develop elevated hepcidin levels and an iron restrictive phenotype.

Potential Applications

There is a growing body of clinical and preclinical evidence that therapeutic hepcidin plays an important role in a wide range of hematologic diseases. This includes conditions such as polycythemia vera (PV), hereditary hemochromatosis, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and β-thalassemia. Across these disease states, patients develop dangerously high levels of iron, resulting in complications that impact survival and daily life.

Development Stage

MWTX-003 was in-licensed from Mabwell Therapeutics. It received IND approval from the US FDA in November 2022 and we plan to initiate a phase 1 clinical study in healthy volunteers in the second half of 2023. Our plan is to develop MWTX-003 to treat multiple iron overload disorders, such a polycythemia vera, beta thalassemia, and other indications.