Anchored in IP licensed from UCLA, Qwixel Therapeuitics, LLC is an immune oncology company focused on the development of anti-CD138-IFN fusion proteins for the treatment of Multiple Myeloma (MM). IFNs are potent anti-cancer agents that, In order to treat cancer effectively, must be high concentrations at the tumor. Qwixel's goal is to concentrate IFN at the tumor site by fusing it to antibodies that recognize CD138, a protein expressed on the surface of myeloma cells. An operating assumption of the principals of the firm is that the fusion proteins will be effective when used alone or in combination with established therapeutics such as Velcade or Revlimid. A further assumption is that anti-CD138 fused with Interferon (IFN) will both directly kill the malignant cells and could help boost the immune system decreasing the possibility of a relapse.
