WALTHAM, Mass. & MONTREAL – Dec. 1, 2022 – (BUSINESS WIRE) — Ventus Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company utilizing structural biology and a proprietary computational chemistry platform to identify and develop small molecule therapeutics across a broad range of diseases, announced that its Head of In Vitro and In Vivo Pharmacology, Anick Auger, presented an overview of the company’s novel NLRP3 inhibitor programs at the Fourth Inflammasome Therapeutics Summit, held from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 in Boston.
Ms. Auger detailed Ventus’ unique approach to structure-based drug discovery, which allowed the company to quickly identify and progress structurally distinct NLRP3 inhibitors and build a library of these potent inhibitors with pharmacological diversity. She also provided an update on the company’s brain-penetrant NLRP3 inhibitor, VENT-02, which was recently selected as Ventus’ second development candidate. VENT-02 has demonstrated potent inhibition of NLRP3 activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and whole blood across species. VENT-02 also showed an excellent CNS-to-plasma exposure ratio in all preclinical species, as well as robust in vivo activity.
“VENT-02 has demonstrated strong potential thus far in its development. As Ventus’ second NLRP3 development candidate, it shows our belief in targeting this inflammasome to address systemic and neurological diseases,” said Ms. Auger. “We are eager to progress our novel NLRP3 inhibitors towards the clinic and anticipate initiating a Phase 1 clinical trial for VENT-02 in 2023.”
For more information on the Inflammasome Therapeutics Summit, visit: https://inflammasome-therapeutics.com/.
About NLRP3
NLRP3 is a member of a family of proteins known as inflammasome receptors and is integral in the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that regulate the innate immune system and are involved in intracellular surveillance of danger signals that trigger an intense inflammatory response, via generation of IL-1β, IL-18 and lytic cell death termed as pyroptosis. Therapeutic inhibition of NLRP3 can, therefore, prevent the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which in turn inhibits the production of IL-1β and IL-18. Aberrant activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome has been associated with systemic conditions, including fibrotic, dermatological, and rheumatological diseases, and figures prominently in several neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
About Ventus Therapeutics
Ventus Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company deploying leading-edge structural biology and computational chemistry tools to create novel small molecule medicines for challenging targets, with an initial focus on immunology, inflammation and neurology. The Company’s proprietary drug discovery platform ReSOLVE gives it the ability to discover and develop medicines through unique insights into protein targets and to create dynamic blueprints that can guide the development of differentiated small molecule medicines. The Company’s lead programs target key innate immune modulators, including NLRP3 and cGAS. The Company aims to use its ReSOLVE platform to improve the way medicines are discovered and developed, with the ultimate goal of restoring the health of people facing serious illnesses. For more information, please visit www.ventustx.com and engage with Ventus on Twitter @Ventus_Tx or on LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements about future expectations, plans and prospects, including, but not limited to, statements related to the anticipated benefits of the executive leadership team, Ventus’ business strategy, current programs, future results of operations, and financial position. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, the timing, progress, and results of preclinical and clinical studies involving its development programs; the results of its earlier studies not being predictive of future results; its ability to enhance the ReSOLVE platform; its ability to continue to obtain funding for its operations and to implement its business strategy; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business and its efforts to address the impact on its business; anticipated developments related to its competitors and its industry; the performance of third-party service providers, including suppliers and manufacturers; and its ability to obtain, maintain, and protect its intellectual property. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Ventus undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Media:
Kyle Evans
ICR Westwicke
646-277-1295
Kyle.evans@westwicke.com
