Research also suggests a role for alpha-gamma-beta5 in promoting fibrosis.
Stromedix has exclusively licensed rights to a mAb against integrin αγβ5 from the University of California. Preclinical research suggests that αγβ5 plays an important role in a variety of acute and chronic organ failure settings.
This compound is the second Stromedix pipeline asset to be sourced from the laboratory of Dean Sheppard, M.D., at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Research in Dr. Sheppard’s lab identified a critical role for αγβ5 in regulating endothelial barrier function.
Results of his work suggests that an antibody to αγβ5 may have value in acute organ failure settings associated with vascular leakage. Other studies suggest a role for αγβ5 in activating the profibrotic cytokine TGFβ and promoting fibrosis.
“Our clinical development strategy uses a proprietary biomarker database to discover the biologically active dose of an antifibrotic agent in the context of a small, short-term trial,” explains Michael Gilman, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Stromedix. “We are excited to be able to leverage what we’ve learned in the STX-100 program to the αγβ5 antibody and to build a pipeline of valuable biologic drugs to treat chronic and acute organ failure.”
Stromedix is a privately held biotechnology company based in Cambridge, MA, focused on innovative therapies for fibrosis organ failure. The company’s lead compound, STX-100, has completed a Phase I trial. Phase II trials in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic allograft nephropathy are currently being planned. FDA granted orphan drug designation to STX-100 for both indications.
