Apitope has patented technology allowing the design of peptide therapeutics (ApitopesTM) for autoimmune diseases. The novel Apitope technology is based on well established scientific evidence showing that soluble, synthetic peptides can reinstate tolerance and attenuate pathological immune responses. The therapy is specifically designed from naturally occurring antigenic proteins to selectively inhibit the immune system's harmful attack on the body while preserving the normal immune response to harmful antigens, such as infections.

The unique Apitope peptides function as tolerogens, exerting their therapeutic effect via an highly selective immune re-balancing process that, in pre-clinical studies, has been linked to the induction of IL- 10 secreting regulatory T cells. Behaving as Antigen Processing Independent epiTOPES (ApitopesTM), the peptides induce tolerance to abnormal immune responses.

The company is testing the safety and efficacy of ApitopesTM in multiple sclerosis initially. Its lead product is ATX-MS1467, a peptide vaccine that is a potentially disease-modifying therapy specifically designed from a naturally occurring antigenic protein to selectively inhibit the immune system's harmful attack on the nervous system. The normal immune response to infection is preserved. The ATX-MS-1467 vaccine contains soluble, synthetic peptides (ApitopesTM) that reinstate tolerance and decrease the immune response to self antigens. The company plans to develop ApitopesTM for other chronic diseases including type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and the common allergies.

Apitope's PI/IIa protocol to test ATX-MS-1467 in MS patients was among the first ‘first in man’ immunomodulants to be approved by the MHRA following the introduction of new stringent review processes were introduced in early 2006. The trial was completed in January 2008. Safety and tolerability, with preliminary indications of immunological and clinical efficacy were demonstrated in this first trial in secondary progressive MS patients.

The Company is also developing two MS diagnostic products in addition to a diagnostic for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on its proprietary technology with predicted launch dates of Q4, 2010.