“Halia is pioneering the third wave of anti-inflammatory therapeutics, targeting the root cause of chronic inflammation,” noted Dr. Bearss. “The first wave was corticosteroids, antihistamines, and immunosuppressants, and the second was anti-cytokines, immunotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. The third wave is composed of innovative medicines that target the immune system’s response to resolve chronic inflammation and eliminate the damage caused by aberrantly activated immune responses.”
Halia’s lead compound, HT-6184, is the first to target NEK7 through an allosteric mechanism. HT-6184 prevents the interaction of NEK7 with NLRP3, which blocks the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex, an important driver of chronic inflammation. NLRP3 acts as an essential downstream effector of signals that trigger inflammatory responses and has been implicated in driving the onset and progression of many chronic inflammatory diseases.
Dr. Bearss added, “Our research shows that by targeting NEK7 through an allosteric mechanism, we can promote the disassembly of already formed NLRP3 complexes, which is an important differentiating characteristic of HT-6184. HT-6184 has the potential to be an important new therapeutic in treating diseases driven by chronic inflammation.”
“We believe one of the biggest therapeutic opportunities over the next decade will be in working to eliminate chronic inflammation,” said Jared Bearss, Halia’s COO. “Halia is excited to be working in this fast-moving and impactful area of scientific research.”
About NLRP3
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 processes lead to chronic inflammation. Halia’s therapeutic inhibition of NLRP3 prevents the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and promotes its disassembly once formed, thereby inhibiting the production and release of IL-1β and IL-18. Persistent activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is thought to drive the onset and progression of many conditions, including fibrotic, dermatological, and rheumatological diseases. Significant neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis are also driven by NLRP3 activation.
About Halia Therapeutics, Inc.
Halia Therapeutics is discovering and developing novel therapeutics to improve the lives of patients with inflammatory disorders and neurological diseases. Halia is advancing innovative medicines that target the immune system’s response to resolve chronic inflammation and eliminate the damage caused by aberrantly activated immune responses. The company is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more info, visit www.haliatherapeutics.com.