Coley Pharmaceutical, GmbH
Coley Pharmaceutical, acquired in January 2008, is a pioneer in a new class of drug candidates called TLR Therapeutics. These work by stimulating or blocking important immune system receptors, known as Toll-like receptors. Toll-like receptors direct the immune system to fight disease and are critically involved in the body's immune response to bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens. Coley's most advanced product candidate is its vaccine adjuvant, VaxImmune, currently in more than 30 clinical trials worldwide. Three of the Toll-like receptors, TLR3, TLR7, and TLR8, are known to be activated by RNAi, as well as certain other innate immune receptors such as the RIG-I-like receptors.
Coley GmbH is located in one of the richest Biotech Centers in Germany, North-Rhein-Westfalia, with the potential to partner with key academics and biotechs in Germany and Europe.
The Coley site in Düsseldorf has been investigating RNA chemistry, its delivery and immune effects since 2003, and are applying this know how and expertise to the new RNAi research effort. Home to approximately 40 research scientists, the German site is an integral part of the new RNAi research group.