NEK7

Dive Brief:Novartis will pay $150 million to gain rights to molecular glue degraders being developed by biotechnology company Monte Rosa Therapeutics to target an immune signaling protein, known as VAV1, that has long been considered undruggable.The deal, announced by the companies Monday morning, could yield up to $2.1 billion in further payments by Novartis to Monte Rosa should the licensed research reach certain development, regulatory and sales milestones.Molecular glue degraders are small molecule drugs that join together a target protein with an enzyme responsible for flagging cellular detritus for disposal. In Monte Rosas case, the company believes degrading VAV1 could weaken certain immune cell functions, thereby slowing the progression of immune-mediated diseases.Dive Insight:Novartis deal with Monte Rosa centers on an early-stage drug candidate dubbed MRT-6160 thats currently in a Phase 1 study of healthy volunteers.Monte Rosa and Novartis see potential for MRT-6160 to treat multiple systemic and neurological autoimmune diseases, Monte Rosa CEO Markus Warmuth said in an email to BioPharma Dive.Under the deal, Monte Rosa will wrap up the ongoing Phase 1 clinical study, while Novartis will handle development from Phase 2 onwards. The biotech will co-fund any Phase 3 testing that occurs and also share in any profits or losses associated with MRT-6160s commercialization, should it get that far.“Novartis has had a long-standing interest in molecular glue degraders, which offer the potential to tackle challenging biological targets, said Fiona Marshall, head of biomedical research at Novartis, in the companies statement. We are excited about their application in immunology and the early progress we have seen by Monte Rosa in this space and with MRT-6160.For Monte Rosa, Novartis support will help it fully explore the potential of MRT-6160 in a variety of immune diseases, Warmuth said in his email. The company plans to use the $150 million it will receive from Novartis to extend its operating runway and advance its own research.In addition to VAV1, Monte Rosa is exploring targeting other proteins, including ones called NEK7, CDK2 and CCNE1, with its molecular glue technology.Monte Rosa previously partnered with Novartis cross-town rival Roche to apply molecular glue degraders to cancer and neurological diseases. Other biotechs are exploring the drug concept as well, and have struck collaborations with Pfizer, Astellas and Bristol Myers Squibb. '

Halia Therapeutics will showcase its LRRK2 and NEK7 inhibitors targeting Alzheimer's disease and obesity. LEHI, Utah, Oct. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Halia Therapeutics, Inc. (Halia), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering innovative treatments for inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that it will showcase its scientific data and progressive pipeline at the upcoming Global Health Exhibition. The event will occur October 21–23, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Halia Therapeutics will host an exhibition booth to showcase its efforts in targeting two indications, Alzheimer's disease and obesity. Halia's candidate HT-4253 is a LRRK2 inhibitor administered orally with excellent brain penetration. LRRK2 is a key modulator of neuroinflammation, which plays a critical role in neurodegenerative diseases. HT-6184 is a first-in-class, selective and orally bioavailable inhibitor of the NEK7/NLRP3 inflammasome. HT-6184 is being tested in combination with semaglutide to target inflammation, which has been linked to obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. Halia's drug candidates are designed to provide novel approaches to improve patients' lives affected by neurodegenerative diseases and chronic inflammatory disorders. Global Health Exhibition unites visionaries, policymakers, government agencies, healthcare luminaries, scientists and futurists to forge a healthier, more innovative future. Visit Halia at booth H1C-W83 in the USA Pavillion. To view the full agenda please visit About NLRP3 NLRP3, an innate immune sensor, is activated in response to various pathogenic and sterile stimuli. Activation of NLRP3 triggers the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 and induces a lytic cell death process called pyroptosis. These mechanisms lead to systemic chronic inflammation. Halia's therapeutic inhibits NLRP3, preventing the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and promoting its disassembly once formed. This inhibition blocks the production and release of IL-1β and IL-18. Chronic NLRP3 inflammasome activation is believed to drive the onset and progression of many conditions, including fibrotic, dermatological, and auto-inflammatory diseases. Moreover, it plays a significant role in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. About HT-6184 HT-6184 is a groundbreaking drug candidate that targets the protein NEK7 through an allosteric mechanism. NEK7 plays a crucial role in the NLRP3 inflammasome, which is essential for its assembly and activity maintenance. In preclinical models, Halia demonstrated that inhibiting the NEK7's ability to bind to NLRP3 disrupts inflammasome signaling and reduces the inflammatory response. HT-6184 not only prevents the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome but also promotes its disassembly once activated. (Halia unpublished data). About HT-4253 HT-4253 is an orally administered small molecule with excellent brain penetration that targets LRRK2, a key mediator of neuroinflammation. Chronic brain inflammation is a driver of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Halia scientists have demonstrated that LRRK2's essential role in regulating neuroinflammation. LRRK2 inhibition by HT-4253 offers a novel approach to treat neurodegenerative diseases with an inflammation component, potentially altering disease progression. HT-4253 is undergoing a Phase I trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability in healthy volunteers (NCT06537817). About Halia Therapeutics, Inc. Halia Therapeutics is pioneering novel therapeutics to enhance patients' lives with chronic inflammatory disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Halia's initial programs target NEK7 and LRRK2.Headquartered in Lehi, Utah, Halia Therapeutics invites you to learn more about our work. Visit our website at , connect with us on LinkedIn, and follow our updates on Twitter (X). Company Contact Halia Therapeutics [email protected] +1 (385) 355-4315 Media Contact: Ignacio Guerrero-Ros, Ph.D. Russo Partners, LLC +1 (646) 942-5604 [email protected] SOURCE Halia Therapeutics WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

Dr. David J. Bearss, CEO, will partake in a panel focused on Neurodegenerative Disease Targets and Pipelines on Tuesday, October 15 at 11:00-11:50 am PT LEHI, Utah, Oct. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Halia Therapeutics, Inc. (Halia), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of developing innovative treatments for inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that David J. Bearss, Ph.D., President and CEO of Halia Therapeutics, will participate in a panel at the BIO Investor Forum taking place October 15-16, 2024, in San Francisco, CA. Dr. Bearss will take part in the panel discussion: 'Expansion of Neurodegenerative Disease Targets and Pipelines' which will take place on Tuesday, October 15, 11:00-11:50 am PT at the Venetian Room, Fairmont San Francisco. This session will feature leading innovators who will discuss the latest advancements in diverse approaches to neurodegenerative diseases. Attendees will learn about the evolving landscape of neurodegenerative disease research and development, the potential of novel targets, and the implications for future treatment and investment opportunities. A Phase 1 trial evaluating Halia Therapeutics' compound HT-4253 was recently initiated to assess its safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics in healthy adults. HT4253 functions by inhibiting LRRK2, a regulator in neuroinflammation associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Bio Investor Forum showcases drug development programs that are ready for partnering and venture funding, with a focus on treating patients by accelerating the progress of new therapeutic technologies into commercialization. David J. Bearss, Ph.D., President and CEO, will be available for one-on-one investor meetings with registered conference attendees at the forum. Meetings can be scheduled through the partnering system. To view the full agenda please visit . About HT-4253 HT-4253 is an orally administered small molecule with excellent brain penetration that targets a mediator of neuroinflammation called LRRK2. Chronic inflammation in the brain is a driver of several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Halia scientists have shown that LRRK2 is an essential regulator of neuroinflammation. LRRK2 inhibition by HT-4253 could represent a new way to treat neurodegenerative diseases with an inflammation component by changing how the disease progresses. HT-4253 is currently being evaluated in a Phase I trial determining its safety and tolerability in healthy volunteer subjects (NCT06537817). About Halia Therapeutics, Inc. 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 has also initiated 2 Phase II trials to evaluate 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). Halia recently initiated a Phase I trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of its LRRK2 inhibitor, HT-4253, in healthy volunteer subjects (NCT06537817). The company's headquarters are in Lehi, Utah. For more information, visit or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter (X). Company Contact Halia Therapeutics [email protected] +1 (385) 355-4315 Media Contact: Ignacio Guerrero-Ros, Ph.D. Russo Partners, LLC +1 (646) 942-5604 [email protected] SOURCE Halia Therapeutics WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED