SYN002

SYN002 is a first-in-class, recombinant immunotoxin fusion protein designed to eliminate cytomegalovirus (CMV) in donor organs prior to transplantation. Its mechanism of action leverages selective binding to the CMV US28 chemokine receptor, a membrane protein encoded by the virus and exclusively expressed on infected cells, including both lytic and latent forms. After binding, SYN002 is internalized, and its pseudomonas exotoxin catalytic domain is released intracellularly, blocking protein synthesis and driving apoptosis of infected cells. The drug is intended for ex vivo organ perfusion therapy, particularly in kidney transplantation, to eliminate the risk of CMV infection and reactivation for immunocompromised transplant recipients, thereby offering a preventative solution where current antivirals are limited to active (lytic) infection only[1][3][4][5][7][10][13][15].