Memo Therapeutics AG announced that its late-breaking abstract has been accepted for oral presentation at the World Transplant Congress in San Francisco, scheduled for August 2-6, 2025. The presentation will feature interim results from the Phase II clinical trial evaluating potravitug, a highly potent human BK polyomavirus-neutralizing monoclonal antibody, for treating BKPyV infection in kidney transplant recipients.
Clinical Trial Design and Scope
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled SAFE KIDNEY II trial enrolled 95 patients across 22 U.S. sites (NCT05769582). The study includes prospectively collected kidney biopsy tissue to evaluate potravitug's efficacy against BKPyV infection in kidney transplant recipients. The trial represents a significant step forward in addressing a critical unmet medical need in transplant medicine.
Addressing a Critical Medical Need
BK polyomavirus infection poses a substantial threat to kidney transplant recipients worldwide. More than 100,000 kidney transplants are conducted globally each year, and BKPyV can become reactivated in up to 50% of these patients. The clinical consequences are severe: up to 70% of patients with BKPyV infection develop BK polyomavirus associated nephropathy, which significantly increases the risks of kidney loss and patient death.
"We look forward to sharing our clinical trial results as we continue to advance potravitug, a first-in-class therapy for BKV infection in kidney transplant recipients," said Erik van den Berg, CEO of Memo Therapeutics. "With no approved treatment options currently available, potravitug has the potential to transform the standard of care in this high-need indication."
Regulatory Recognition and Market Potential
The FDA granted fast-track designation to potravitug in May 2023, recognizing the high unmet medical need in this indication. This designation facilitates more frequent meetings with the FDA and potentially expedited review processes. The company estimates the market potential for potravitug at up to $2 billion annually, reflecting the significant commercial opportunity in addressing this unmet need.
Presentation Details
The late-breaking oral presentation is scheduled for August 4, 2025, from 4:30 PM to 5:45 PM during session LOA04 - Late Breaking Studies in Transplant Infectious Diseases. The presentation, titled "Potravitug for the Treatment of BK Polyomavirus Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial," will be led by principal investigator Nadiesda Costa, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine.
"We are excited to present our Phase II data at the bi-annual World Transplant Congress, a leading international forum for the latest developments in transplantation," said Dr. Costa. "It is a privilege to have been selected and to share the results from this important study."
Company Background and Technology Platform
Memo Therapeutics is a late-stage biotech company focused on translating unique human immune responses into superior medicines through the development of best-in-class antibodies to treat viral infections and cancer. The company's proprietary DROPZYLLA® technology serves as an antibody repertoire copying engine with high-throughput screening capabilities, underpinning its core assets.
Beyond potravitug, the company is actively discovering novel antibody-target pairs in oncology. The Swiss-based company is backed by investors including Ysios Capital, Kurma Partners, Pureos Bioventures, Swisscanto, Vesalius Biocapital, and Adjuvant Capital.
