IT ALL STARTED WHEN…

in 2009 Erik Hack established the Inflammation Research Lab of the Departments of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology and Dermatology/Allergology in the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) and decided to focus its research on improving the therapeutic potential of interleukin 10 (IL-10).

IL-10 is the most potent endogenous anti-inflammatory molecule in the human body. Yet, clinical studies with this molecule were stopped because of disappointing results. Inspired by previous research in the laboratory of Floris Lafeber at the UMCU on combined activity of IL-4 and IL-10, it was decided to combine these two cytokines in a fusion protein with the anticipation that this molecule would overcome several limitations of wild-type IL-10. Its increased molecular mass improved the half-life, both cytokine moieties neutralized their mutual pro-inflammatory effects, and the fusion protein created synergy between the two cytokine moieties. Because of this latter feature, the molecule was named IL4-10 Synerkine. It was decided to evaluate the potential of the IL4-10 Synerkine in several murine models for nociceptive and neuropathic pain and osteoarthritis (OA). The results of these studies were remarkable. IL4-10 Synerkine normalized sensation in all pain models tested. It also improved cartilage metabolism, inhibited inflammation, and normalized pain in models of OA, and therefore met the criteria of a potential disease modifying OA drug.

These promising results form the basis for Synerkine Pharma.