<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><ns2:project xmlns:ns1="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api" xmlns:ns2="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project" xmlns:ns3="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/fund" xmlns:ns4="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/person" xmlns:ns5="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project/outcome" xmlns:ns6="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/organisation" ns1:created="2026-06-03T15:52:43Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/projects/D9EB4E61-AE4E-4FB4-AF3A-F41FF865F35C" ns1:id="D9EB4E61-AE4E-4FB4-AF3A-F41FF865F35C"><ns1:links><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/persons/92433091-0017-44CC-87DC-E6124FD8595C" ns1:rel="PM_PER"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/478C74B3-3D2F-49E4-905E-B8F913468882" ns1:rel="LEAD_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/478C74B3-3D2F-49E4-905E-B8F913468882" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:end="2022-10-31T00:00:00Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/funds/E09674B3-076A-4A52-A2BE-3B5F95E4EC09" ns1:rel="FUND" ns1:start="2021-04-30T23:00:00Z"/></ns1:links><ns2:identifiers><ns2:identifier ns2:type="RCUK">99451</ns2:identifier></ns2:identifiers><ns2:title>An Innovative Molecular Fusion Format That Targets Ion Channel-Driven Diseases</ns2:title><ns2:status>Closed</ns2:status><ns2:grantCategory>Collaborative R&amp;D</ns2:grantCategory><ns2:leadFunder>Innovate UK</ns2:leadFunder><ns2:abstractText>Maxion is a newly founded UK therapeutic development SME solving a significant unmet global need with its novel, disruptive platform that can generate antibody-like therapeutics to target ion channel-driven diseases. Taking inspiration from nature, Maxion's founders have combined ion channel modulating mini-proteins found in venom and other sources called knottins into the antibody surface to create mixtures named KnotBodies. KnotBodies combine the best of both components by preserving the ion channel modulating function of knottins while enjoying the optimum drug like properties of antibodies. Maxion's unique drug format will treat diseases such as chronic pain, autoimmune disorders and heart disease. This innovative product reduces initial drug discovery timelines by at least two years and increases the chance of generating a functional ion channel modulator by 10-fold.</ns2:abstractText></ns2:project>