Narval Pitches at Startup Battlefield | TechCrunch Disrupt 2023

TL;DR

Narval is using synthetic antibody mimetic proteins to develop antibody drugs that are affordable, accessible, and easy to use, addressing the limitations of traditional monoclonal antibodies.

Transcript

okay next up from Guadalajara Mexico we have narval presenting for narval is Dr Jose Luis Nuno and Alejandra Nano give him Round of Applause and bring them on out hi I'm Jose Luis Nuno CEO and founder of narwal I am not a morning person but after my first coffee I am ready to solve the seasons and change the world 600 million live with diabetes 37 ... Read More

Key Insights

• ♿ Monoclonal antibodies are expensive and require injections, limiting their accessibility and affordability.
• 🧛 Narval's synthetic antibody mimetic proteins (amps) offer a more affordable and accessible alternative to traditional antibody drugs.
• 😵 Amps are smaller in size, can cross tissue barriers, and have the same biological functions as monoclonal antibodies.
• 👻 Narval's amp platform allows for the development of antibody drugs for various diseases, including diabetic retinopathy and respiratory diseases.
• 🤪 Narval's first amp candidate, amp1 for diabetic retinopathy, is going into clinical phase next year.
• 😃 Amps have shown therapeutic activity in eye tissue penetration and neutralization capability of respiratory viruses.
• 👨‍💼 Narval's business model involves partnering with pharmaceutical companies for commercialization and licensing of their amp drugs.

Questions & Answers

Q: How are Narval's synthetic antibody mimetic proteins (amps) different from traditional monoclonal antibodies?

Narval's amps are made using a synthetic monoprotein scaffold fused with cdr3 regions from single domain shark antibodies. They are much smaller than monoclonal antibodies but have the same biological functions.

Q: Can amps cross tissue barriers and effectively target small antigens?

Yes, amps are capable of crossing through tissue barriers and targeting small antigens. They have demonstrated the ability to penetrate eye tissues and decrease vascularization and endothelial cell count, making them effective for diseases like diabetic retinopathy.

Q: How are amp drugs administered?

Amp drugs can be administered through eye drops, aerosol, viral delivery, or transthermal release, unlike traditional monoclonal antibodies that require injections. This makes treatment more convenient and accessible for patients.

Q: How does Narval plan to commercialize their antibody drugs?

Narval plans to out-license their amps to pharmaceutical companies. They generate revenue through upfront payments, clinical phase and approval milestones, and royalties from the sales of the marketed products.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Narval is focused on developing antibody drugs that are more affordable and accessible than traditional monoclonal antibodies, which are costly and require injections.

• Their synthetic antibody mimetic proteins, called amps, are 40 times smaller than monoclonal antibodies but have the same biological functions.

• Narval's amp platform allows for the development of new antibody drugs for various diseases, including diabetic retinopathy and respiratory diseases.