Biolexis Therapeutics

Biolexis joins a crowded field of biotechs and pharmas trying to turn the booming GLP-1 weight loss drugs into a more convenient pill form rather than an injection. Another contender has emerged in the race to develop oral GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. Biolexis Therapeutics’ small molecule BLX-7006 reduced the weight of obese mice by 15% over a 28-day span."We are thrilled with the positive outcomes from our preclinical studies," Biolexis chief scientific officer Hariprasad Vankayalapati, Ph.D., said in a Sept. 12 release. "Our goal is to bring forward an innovative weight loss therapy that offers the same, or better, efficacy as injectable treatments but in a more convenient oral form." Biolexis is headquartered in Levi, right in the middle of Utah. The broader area is home to Utah’s booming tech sector, known as the Silicon Slopes. Biolexis was founded in Nov. 2021 by Vankayalapati and David Bearss, Ph.D., both from the University of Utah.Next, the biotech plans to conduct IND-enabling studies and begin human clinical trials early next year, chief business officer Keith Marmer said in the release.GLP-1 agonists like BLX-7006 work by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1 and binding to its usual receptors. This triggers the production of insulin, which helps lower blood sugar levels, and also slows the emptying of the stomach and reduces hunger. Through these combined effects, the drugs can both help treat diabetes and lead to weight loss.Biolexis joins a crowded field of biotechs and pharmas trying to turn the booming GLP-1 weight loss drugs into a more convenient pill form rather than an injection. The oral version of semaglutide, Novo Nordisk’s Rybelsus, is approved for type 2 diabetes but not for weight loss. Novo has been working to develop an oral GLP-1 agonist that matches Wegovy, its injected semaglutide for weight loss. In March, the Danish pharma reported its oral candidate amycretin had reduced weight by 13.1% after 12 weeks in a phase 1 trial.Meanwhile, Eli Lilly, maker of Zepbound (tirzepatide), has been trialing a once-daily pill called orforglipron; last year the company announced that it produced weight loss between 9% and 15% over a 36-week period, depending on the dose. Pfizer and Roche also have horses in the race, both currently moving through human trials.GLP-1 drugs have shown promise in other areas, too. For example, a recent study found that an old GLP-1 called liraglutide could potentially protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease.

LEHI, Utah., Sept. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Biolexis Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company pioneering next-generation weight loss treatments, today announced the remarkable preclinical results of its oral small molecule GLP-1 agonist, BLX-7006. In a recent study, BLX-7006 demonstrated significant weight loss efficacy, establishing it as a potential breakthrough in the global fight against obesity. In a controlled diet-induced obesity (DIO) study conducted on mice, BLX-7006 achieved an average weight reduction of 15% over a 28-day period. These promising results are comparable to those seen with semaglutide, one of the most effective GLP-1 agonists currently available. However, BLX-7006 sets itself apart with its convenient oral administration and small molecule structure, making it a transformative prospect in weight management therapeutics. "We are thrilled with the positive outcomes from our preclinical studies with BLX-7006," said Dr. Hariprasad Vankayalapati, Chief Scientific Officer at Biolexis. "Our goal is to bring forward an innovative weight loss therapy that offers the same, or better, efficacy as injectable treatments but in a more convenient oral form. This is a significant step forward for patients seeking safer, more accessible treatment options." Key Highlights of BLX-7006: Oral Administration: Unlike current GLP-1 agonist treatments, which require injection, BLX-7006 is taken orally, offering greater convenience and potentially improving patient adherence. Small Molecule Technology: As a small molecule, BLX-7006 avoids the complexities and high costs associated with peptide-based drugs. This could streamline manufacturing processes, reduce costs, and improve drug stability. Reduced Side Effects: Pre-toxicology data suggest BLX-7006 is well tolerated with no observed organ toxicities when compared to current weight loss therapies, making it safer for long-term use. In addition to weight loss, BLX-7006 demonstrates promising efficacy in Type 2 Diabetes animal models. Keith Marmer, Chief Business Officer at Biolexis, commented, "BLX-7006 represents a significant leap forward in weight loss treatment. It's oral formulation and small molecule composition could offer patients an easier, more comfortable experience while delivering highly effective weight loss results. We're excited to advance this promising therapy through IND-enabling studies, with human clinical trials scheduled for early 2025. Biolexis is excited to deliver a weight loss treatment that is widely accessible and significantly lower cost than what is currently available today." Biolexis Therapeutics is dedicated to addressing the global obesity epidemic through scientific innovation. The company continues to explore ways to deliver effective, accessible, and safe weight loss treatments to patients around the world. For more information about Biolexis and its cutting-edge research, visit . About Biolexis Biolexis Therapeutics is a privately held biopharmaceutical company committed to developing next-generation small-molecule therapies for metabolic diseases, including obesity. The company is focused on delivering innovative solutions to unmet medical needs through advanced research and development. SOURCE Biolexis Therapeutics Inc WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

LEHI, Utah, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Halia Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering a novel class of small molecule medications designed to combat inflammation, and Biolexis Therapeutics, a biotechnology company specializing in AI-enabled drug discovery, today announced an ongoing collaboration that successfully identified a novel brain-penetrant small molecule candidate targeting NLRP3-driven neuroinflammation by leveraging Biolexis' MolecuLern™ AI-enabled approach. This milestone represents a significant advancement in developing treatments for neuroinflammatory disorders, including Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Continue Reading Biolexis Therapeutics "We are elated with the results of our partnership with Biolexis Therapeutics," said David Bearss, Ph.D., President and CEO of Halia Therapeutics and Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board at Biolexis Therapeutics. "Biolexis' innovative AI technology has enabled us to identify a highly promising and novel clinical candidate that has the potential to transform the treatment landscape for neuroinflammatory diseases. This collaboration highlights the promising power of integrating advanced AI tools with our expertise in neuroinflammation." Hariprasad Vankayalapati, Ph.D., CSO of Biolexis Therapeutics, added, "Collaborating with Halia Therapeutics has been a remarkable opportunity to showcase the capabilities of our MolecuLern process. We are excited about the potential of this new clinical candidate and eager to see it advance through the development pipeline to ultimately offer hope to patients with debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. This project also underscores the strength of our AI-enabled approach in accelerating the discovery of novel therapeutics." Biolexis Therapeutics' MolecuLern AI-enabled approach has proven instrumental in discovering a number of potential and innovative therapeutic candidates with the desired efficacy and safety profiles for protein targets associated with various diseases with high unmet medical needs. The successful identification of a new clinical candidate is set to advance into further preclinical studies, aiming to offer a novel treatment option for neuroinflammatory disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Neuroinflammatory disorders, characterized by chronic brain inflammation leading to progressive neuronal damage, pose significant clinical challenges. This new therapeutic approach seeks to overcome these challenges by addressing the root causes of these debilitating conditions specifically targeting NLRP3-driven neuroinflammation. About Halia Therapeutics Halia Therapeutics is discovering and developing a pipeline of novel therapeutics to improve patients' lives with chronic inflammatory disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, with its initial programs targeting NEK7 and LRRK2. Halia's lead candidate, HT-6184, a novel NEK7/NLRP3 inhibitor, has completed a Phase I study ( NCT05447546) evaluating the safety and tolerability of HT-6184 when administered as single or multiple oral doses at escalating dose levels in healthy volunteer subjects. Halia also has 2 ongoing Phase II trials evaluating the efficacy of HT-6184 for the treatment of lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS) and on post-procedure diagnostic biomarkers of inflammation and pain ( NCT06241742). The company's headquarters are in Lehi, Utah. For more information, visit or follow us on LinkedIn and X. About Biolexis Therapeutics Biolexis Therapeutics is a biotechnology company specializing in AI-enabled drug discovery. Utilizing its proprietary MolecuLern™ process, Biolexis accelerates the identification and development of novel therapeutic candidates, addressing various medical challenges through leading-edge technology. The company's headquarters are in American Fork, Utah. For more information, visit or follow us on LinkedIn. Company Contacts: James Dye Director of Communications Halia Therapeutics Email: [email protected] Phone: +1.385.355.4315 Kyle Medley Director Business Development Biolexis Therapeutics Email: [email protected] Phone: 435-893-5473 Media Contact: Ignacio Guerrero-Ros, Ph.D. Russo Partners, LLC +1 (646) 942-5604 [email protected] SOURCE Halia Therapeutics