Clovertex Target of the Month (11/23): FRalpha

This November, we highlight the folate receptor alpha (FRα) as the 'Clovertex Target of the Month'. This target plays a crucial role in advancing cancer treatments, particularly for ovarian cancer. FRα is the target of mirvetuximab soravtansine, an innovative antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting cancers that overexpress FRα. This approach offers improved efficacy and reduced side effects compared to conventional chemotherapies.

The spotlight on FRα has intensified with the recent news that AbbVie plans to acquire ImmunoGen for a staggering $10.1 billion centering around ImmunoGen's Elahere™ (mirvetuximab and soravtansine-gynx), a first-in-class ADC. Elahere has gained accelerated approval from the FDA as of November 2022, making history as the first targeted therapy to demonstrate a substantial survival benefit in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). This strategic move is set to boost AbbVie's oncology portfolio, specifically by speeding up its entry into the ovarian cancer market.  AbbVie's recent acquisition of ImmunoGen, highlighting the ADC Elahere, underscores the rising excitement and significance of antibody-drug conjugates in the pharmaceutical world. The featured model is the AF2 prediction of FRα (AlphaFold Database entry P15328).  

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. AbbVie to Acquire ImmunoGen for $10.1B, Expanding Cancer Franchise

2. Clovertex website