Glossary

Antigen

An antigen is a molecule recognized by the immune system. “Non-self” antigens are identified as intruders and attacked by the immune system.

APC

Antigen Presenting Cells (APC) are part of the immune system and are cells that display antigens on their surfaces and present them to T cells.

B cell

Immune cells, also known as B lymphocytes, are responsible for mediating the production of antigen-specific antibodies.

CCL3L1

CCL3L1, C-C motif chemokine ligand 3 like 1, a chemokine that attracts APC and ensures binding to receptors on the surface of APC. It is used as a targeting module in
many of our vaccines.

CD4+ T cells

Also known as helper T cells, CD4+ T cells are immune cells able to activate and help other immune cells by releasing signalling molecules, thereby orchestrating an optimal immune response. Together, CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells comprise the majority of T-lymphocytes.

CD8+ T cells

Immune cells (T lymphocytes) able to kill cancer or virus-infected cells, also known as cytotoxic or killer T cells. CD8+T cells together with CD4+T cells comprise the majority of T-lymphocytes.

Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN)

The abnormal pre-cancerous growth of cells in the uterine cervix usually caused by HPV infection.

Checkpoint inhibitor

Checkpoint inhibitors, also known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, is a type of drug that activates the immune system to fight cancer. The drug prevents the “off” signal, which then enables the immune system to become activated.

CMC

Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls.

ctDNA

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is tumor-derived fragmented DNA in the bloodstream coming from dying cancer cells and tumors. Detection of reduced levels of ctDNA may be an early marker of response to cancer treatment.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the hereditary material found in every cell and is unique for each individual. DNA consists of genes that encode for proteins.

DNA vaccine

Vaccines are made to induce an immune response to an antigen, to boost the immune system. When the antigen is delivered as a DNA molecule (plasmid), it is called a DNA vaccine.

Epitope

An epitope is the part of an antigen that is recognized by the immune system, specifically by antibodies, B cells, or T cells. For example, the epitope is the specific piece of the antigen to which a T cell binds.

First-in-class vaccine

Vaccine that utilizes a new and unique mechanism of action to treat a medical condition.

Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system

Human version of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) encoding for cell surface proteins responsible for the presentation of intracellular (MHC class I) and extracellular (MHC class II) proteins to the immune system.

HPV

Human papillomavirus. There are several strains, and HPV16 is the strain most associated with cancer.

HSIL

High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix. This corresponds to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3 (CIN 2/3).

Immuno-oncology

Cancer immunotherapy, also called immuno-oncology, is a type of cancer treatment that helps the immune system fight cancer.

Individualized vaccine

On-demand vaccine designed and manufactured specifically for each individual patient.

IP

Intellectual property such as patents and know-how.

mRNA

mRNA, or messenger RNA, is like a blueprint that cells use to build proteins based on instructions from your DNA. It’s a crucial part of how your body reads and uses genetic information to function properly.

Mutation

A change or alteration that occurs in the DNA. Mutations may lead to cancer, and these mutations may be identified and recognized by the immune system.

Neoantigen

Novel tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) derived from somatic gene mutations in cancer cells that are solely expressed on a patient’s tumor. These mutations may be regarded as truly foreign by the immune system.

NYK011

Nykode Therapeutics’ preclinical oncology vaccine program.

Off-the-shelf vaccine

Vaccine that can be manufactured, stored and may be used to treat large patient groups.

Phase I/IIa

Early-phase clinical trials intended to evaluate safety/tolerability and initial clinical effect.

Plasmid

A small DNA molecule carrying genes that can be expressed as proteins within a host cell.

Prophylactic vaccines

Prophylactic vaccines are vaccines that may prevent disease before it occurs, whereas therapeutic vaccines are administered after the individual is already affected by the disease or infection.

R&D

Research and development.

Regulatory T cell (Treg)

A subpopulation of immunosuppressive T cells maintaining tolerance to self-antigens and regulating the prevention of autoimmune diseases.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a polymeric molecule essential in various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation and expression of genes. All of the RNA in a natural cell is made by DNA transcription.

T cell

Immune cells of key importance to the immune system recognizing and fighting specific pathogens or cancer antigens.

Tumor-Associated Antigens (TAAs)

Self-antigens with elevated expression in tumor cells.

Nykode technology platform

A proprietary vaccine delivery platform intended to make more efficacious vaccines by targeting the antigen to APC.

VB10.16

Nykode Therapeutics’ off-the-shelf drug candidate targeting HPV16-induced malignancies such as cervical cancer.

VB10.NEO

Nykode Therapeutics’ individualized drug candidate where each vaccine is designed based on each patient’s cancer-specific gene alterations (mutations). VB10.NEO is exclusively licensed to Genentech.