Clovertex Target of the Month (04/25): FcRn

Clovertex’s April 2025 Target of the Month is the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), following the U.S. FDA’s approval of Johnson & Johnson’s FcRn-blocking antibody, Imaavy (nipocalimab), for generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG).

FcRn is responsible for extending the half-life of IgG antibodies by protecting them from degradation, a mechanism it accomplishes by binding to IgG in acidic endosomes and recycling them back to the bloodstream. Imaavy disrupts this process by blocking FcRn’s interaction with IgG, leading to increased breakdown of circulating antibodies—including the autoantibodies that drive autoimmune diseases like gMG. With approval for patients aged 12 and up who test positive for anti-AChR or anti-MuSK antibodies, Imaavy now enters a growing field of FcRn-targeting therapies, joining Argenx and UCB in addressing a global patient population of roughly 700,000.

The Protein Imager rendering displays the cryo-EM structure of echovirus 18 in complex with neonatal Fc receptor (PDB entry 7B5F).  

About Clovertex

Clovertex is an industry leader specializing in meeting the scientific IT needs of pharmaceutical companies, with a robust focus on cloud-based or on-premises cryo-EM processing. As an Advanced Tier Services Partner with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Clovertex leverages its comprehensive expertise to architect, build, automate, and manage software applications designed to meet specific research needs. Our all-encompassing solutions are meticulously tailored to streamline the complex processes associated with pharmaceutical research, underscoring our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. By integrating state-of-the-art technology with deep scientific understanding, Clovertex paves the way in optimizing the intersection of information technology and pharmaceutical development.

Useful links

1. J&J joins Argenx, UCB in the myasthenia gravis arena with FDA approval for FcRn blocker Imaavy

2. Clovertex website