Nuevolution discloses the identity of its “Cytokine X” program being Interleukin IL-17A
and initiates promotion of its small molecule IL-17A inhibitor program targeting inflammatory diseases
Stockholm, 22 August 2018. Today, Nuevolution AB (publ) announced the identity of its “Cytokine X” program being a lead discovery program targeting inhibition of Interleukin IL-17A using small molecules. Nuevolution’s small molecules may offer access to both topical (e.g. cream based) treatment as well as safe tablet-based treatment, whereas currently marketed IL-17A inhibitors are injectable and high-cost antibodies that come with potential adverse reactions from the treatment. The company also announced that it will initiate promotion for potential partnership opportunities on this exciting program targeting multiple inflammatory diseases.
IL-17A is the founding signalling cytokine produced from TH17 cells of the immune system. This cytokine is responsible for driving multiple inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and is considered a major contributing factor in diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis. The IL-17A target has presented itself as a very challenging protein to inhibit (block) with small molecules, and presently all available inhibitors are therefore based on injectable antibodies.
Through application of Nuevolution’s Chemetics®platform, trillions of molecules were screened against IL-17A. This was followed by application of Nuevolution’s powerful drug discovery optimization platform leading to identification of very potent small molecule lead compounds that directly and selectively bind the human IL-17A protein and potently block IL-17A cell signaling to human keratinocytes (skin cells). In order to validate the mechanism of action and benchmark our IL-17A blockers, we recently demonstrated that one of our small molecule lead compounds was as effective as an IL-17A neutralizing antibody in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in vivo mouse model.
In our program, X-Ray crystallography (three-dimensional structures) from multiple chemical series have shown compounds bound to the IL-17A target illustrating distinct mechanisms of IL-17A binding of each chemotype. This supports our lead optimization efforts further towards the potential identification of a program candidate. Our data also supports that a small molecule directly targeting IL-17A, may achieve the same efficacy in clinical scoring as a therapeutic antibody directed against IL-17A.
Our current optimization efforts focus on finalizing data for initially a potential topical use of our IL-17A blockers as well as seeking a potential next generation systemic (tablet-based) formulation with the ambition of achieving a first-in-class small molecule candidate for both topical and systemic treatment options.
The development of an innovative topical as well as tablet-based small molecule program, targeting the IL-17 pathway, would be of very high value especially in diseases like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis as well as other inflammatory diseases. Global Data[1] is forecasting global[2] sales in each of these indications reaching about USD 13 billion in 2024 and 2025 respectively, which underlines the interest and need for innovative treatment options in inflammatory diseases.
“Important and disease relevant protein-protein interfaces, like the one we target here in our IL-17A program, are notoriously difficult to inhibit with small molecules. We are very enthusiastic about this unique program and believe it has a strong potential to deliver a potential first-in-class small molecule drug for topical and tablet-based use directly targeting IL-17A”, said Thomas Franch, CSO.
For more information please see Nuevolution interim report for the period ending 30 June 2018.
For more information, please contact:
Thomas Franch, CSO
Phone: +45 7020 0987
Email: tf@nuevolution.com
Alex Haahr Gouliaev, CEO
Phone: +45 7020 0987
Email: ahg@nuevolution.com
Information about Nuevolution AB (publ)
Nuevolution AB (publ) is a leading small molecule drug discovery biotech company founded in 2001, and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. Nuevolution partners its discovery platform and develops its programs alone and in collaboration with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to seek future benefit for patients in need of novel medical treatment options. Nuevolution’s internal programs are focused on therapeutically important diseases targets within severe inflammatory diseases and cancer.
This information is information that Nuevolution AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was sent for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, on Wednesday 22 August 2018 at 18:00 CET.
Nuevolution AB (publ) is listed at Nasdaq in Stockholm, Sweden (ticker: NUE). More information about Nuevolution can be found on: www.nuevolution.com
[1] PharmaPoint: Psoriasis – Global Drug Forecast and Market Analysis to 2024, PharmaPoint: Psoriatic Arthritis – Global Drug Forecast and Market Analysis to 2025
[2] United States, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Japan