Arch Biopartners develops mechanism‑based therapeutics that target the molecular drivers of kidney injury and disease.
Funding
$242.6K 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
Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, yet there are few therapies that directly target the underlying molecular mechanisms of kidney injury, leading to high morbidity and limited treatment options.
Solution
Arch Biopartners is developing mechanism‑based therapeutics that intervene in key pathways driving kidney damage. The LSALT peptide is a first‑in‑class dipeptidase‑1 (DPEP1) inhibitor designed to block inflammation‑driven ischemia‑reperfusion injury, currently evaluated in a global Phase II trial for cardiac‑surgery‑associated AKI. Cilastatin, a repurposed DPEP1 inhibitor, aims to prevent toxin‑related AKI by blocking renal uptake of nephrotoxic drugs and is being tested in the Phase II PONTiAK trial. In parallel, Arch is advancing a pre‑clinical platform that targets the cytokine IL‑32, which is implicated in diabetic kidney disease, to create novel on‑target treatments for CKD. By focusing on these validated molecular targets, Arch seeks to provide effective prophylactic and disease‑modifying options for patients at risk of or suffering from kidney injury.
Target Audience
Primary customers are healthcare providers and hospital systems treating patients at risk of AKI (e.g., surgical, oncology, and radiology settings) and nephrologists managing CKD, particularly diabetic kidney disease.
Features
- LSALT peptide (Metablok™)
- a DPEP1 inhibitor that reduces inflammation and protects kidneys from ischemia‑reperfusion injury.
- Cilastatin
- a repurposed DPEP1 inhibitor that blocks renal uptake of nephrotoxic agents such as antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, and contrast media.
- IL‑32 targeting platform
- pre‑clinical program addressing a lipid‑droplet‑associated cytokine directly involved in diabetic kidney disease.
- Both lead candidates are in Phase II clinical trials (global cardiac‑surgery AKI trial and 700‑patient PONTiAK trial) with robust safety and efficacy endpoints.
- Mechanism‑based approach leverages validated DPEP1 and IL‑32 pathways to achieve on‑target kidney protection.
- Potential applicability beyond kidney injury to lung, liver inflammation, and septic shock based on shared DPEP1 biology.