Ajax Therapeutics develops next-generation, selective Type II JAK2 inhibitors to treat myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). The company utilizes computational chemistry and structural biology to create best-in-class therapies that overcome limitations of existing Type I JAK2 inhibitors. Their lead candidate is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial for myelofibrosis patients who have not responded sufficiently to current treatments.
Funding
$143M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Existing Type I JAK2 inhibitors for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) provide symptomatic relief but do not effectively reduce the mutant JAK2 allele burden, leading to disease persistence. These inhibitors often interact with other related proteins, limiting their efficacy and causing unwanted side effects.
Solution
Ajax Therapeutics is developing Type II JAK2 inhibitors that selectively target MPNs driven by aberrant JAK/STAT signaling, overcoming the limitations of current Type I JAK2 inhibitors. By applying computational chemistry and structural biology, Ajax aims to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce mutant JAK2 allele burden in patients who have not responded adequately to existing treatments. Their approach focuses on designing small molecules with improved selectivity, potency, and drug-like properties through an ongoing collaboration with Schrödinger, Inc. The lead candidate, AJ1-11095, is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials for myelofibrosis.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), particularly those with myelofibrosis who have not responded to or are intolerant of Type I JAK2 inhibitors, as well as hematologists and oncologists treating these conditions.
Features
- Selective Type II JAK2 inhibition to improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce mutant allele burden
- Utilizes advanced computational chemistry and structural biology for precise drug design
- Designed to overcome disease persistence observed with Type I JAK2 inhibitors
- AJ1-11095: A first-in-class Type II JAK2 inhibitor currently in Phase 1 clinical trials
- Targets myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including myelofibrosis, post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis, and post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis
- Collaboration with Schrödinger, Inc. for molecular simulation and compound optimization