Certa Therapeutics is developing targeted GPR68 inhibitors to treat fibrotic diseases such as scleroderma and chronic kidney disease. Their therapies aim to reduce fibrosis progression, addressing the significant health risks associated with these life-threatening conditions.
Funding
$19.1M 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
Fibrotic diseases, including scleroderma, chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, lead to significant health risks and mortality due to progressive scarring and organ damage. Current treatments often only manage symptoms without effectively halting or reversing the underlying fibrotic processes. There remains a critical unmet need for therapies that can directly target and inhibit fibrosis to improve patient outcomes.
Solution
Certa Therapeutics is developing a platform of targeted GPR68 inhibitors, including their lead candidate asengeprast (FT011), to treat a range of fibrotic diseases. Their approach focuses on modulating GPR68, a key receptor involved in inflammation and fibrosis, to interrupt the signaling pathways that lead to scar tissue formation in multiple organs. Asengeprast, a first-in-class oral GPR68 antagonist, has demonstrated promising efficacy in preclinical and clinical studies by reversing the activation of genetic markers associated with fibrosis. By precisely targeting the root cause of fibrosis, Certa's therapies aim to provide disease-modifying treatment options that can slow or reverse disease progression and improve the quality of life for patients with life-threatening fibrotic conditions.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients suffering from fibrotic diseases such as scleroderma, chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, as well as the physicians who treat them.
Features
- Novel, first-in-class oral GPR68 antagonist (asengeprast/FT011)
- Targets GPR68, a GPCR receptor that mediates signaling pathways associated with inflammation and fibrosis
- Demonstrated efficacy in preclinical in vitro and in vivo models of inflammatory and fibrotic disease
- Transcriptomic research validates the mechanism of action, showing reversal of genetic markers associated with fibrosis
- Completed Phase I and IIa clinical studies in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) demonstrating favorable safety and pharmacokinetics
- Granted Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation from the FDA for the treatment of systemic sclerosis
- Developing biomarkers and gene signatures to identify patients most likely to respond to treatment