A New technology. Better Antibodies.

Hepione Therapeutics is a biotech startup with a novel, proprietary platform to generate antibodies to small molecules of the opioid family of drugs.

This unique and powerful antibody generation platform (the VAST) based on an unusually immunogenic surface array of over ten million, densely packed proteins with the ability to convert this array into scalable nanoparticles spanning several orders of magnitude in size and nature.

it is possible to attach to this immunogenic coat a wide variety of antigens, including proteins, peptides, small molecules, sugars, and lipids. This technology has undergone a stepwise development over a decade.

Because there has been limited success with standard methods of antibody discovery with small molecules, particularly those associated with Opioid Use Disorder, the focus of the company is on generating monoclonal antibodies to prevent overdose from this family of drugs. In addition to our own leads, we are partnering with leading pharmaceutical companies to develop products in this area tailored to their needs.

Anti-Overdose Therapeutics

At present, our lead assets are anti-fentanyl antibodies that bind the drug, stop its trafficking to the brain, and prevent toxicity. Our goal is to deploy these in monoclonal antibody therapy to block overdose.

The US drug overdose crisis claimed 100,000 lives in 2021 and continues a decades-long upward trend. Fentanyl overdoses are the main killer, being responsible for greater than 50,000 deaths per year. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid (small molecule structure) and is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. It is often used as an adulterant in drugs such as heroin (unknown to the buyer). The small molecule structure of fentanyl, while challenging to traditional antibody approaches, is ideally suited for usage with the VAST technology for generation of protective fentanyl-neutralizing antibodies. Hepione Therapeutics has developed high-affinity and selective fentanyl-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that block the toxic effects of fentanyl.

Other Indications

Because Hepione possesses the powerful VAST platform technology in the area of opioids, we are able to pursue antibody discovery for diverse indications and needs, including targeting other opioid drugs that pose hazards.