PMB702 (Candidate nominating) : Suppressing troublemaking Th17 specifically

In our immunology program, we identified a novel pluripotential target participating in multiple pathways related to the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and discovered lead candidates. They inhibit the target enzyme in the 10s of nanomolar range and block several IBD related pathways. In immunological MoA studies, the leads block Th17 differentiation without affecting on other T-cells such as Th1. Since Th17 is known to be the troublemaker causing various autoimmune diseases and fibrosis, the leads were tested in animal models of Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis as well as IBD. In these studies, the leads showed clear efficacies. Thus, we are going to develop the candidate as an IBD drug ontrolling inflammation and fibrosis, and furthermore, to expand indications to other autoimmune and fibrotic diseases.