Cinclus Pharma is developing linaprazan glurate, a potassium‑competitive acid blocker prodrug, to provide faster, longer‑lasting gastric acid suppression for patients with moderate to severe erosive GERD and Helicobacter pylori infection. The drug’s reversible PCAB mechanism and extended plasma residence aim to improve healing rates and symptom relief compared with traditional proton pump inhibitors.
Funding
$24.1M 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.
3OTIFounders
Product
Problem
Current proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapies often fail to achieve adequate symptom control and healing in a substantial proportion of patients with moderate to severe erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Helicobacter pylori infection, leaving an unmet medical need for more effective acid suppression.
Solution
Cinclus Pharma is developing linaprazan glurate, a potassium‑competitive acid blocker (PCAB) prodrug, to provide faster onset, longer duration, and more consistent gastric acid inhibition than PPIs. The prodrug design extends plasma residence time and reduces peak concentrations, improving safety and tolerability. Clinical Phase I studies have demonstrated rapid, full acid control after a single dose, and Phase II data show superior efficacy in erosive GERD patients. By targeting the potassium channel of the proton pump, linaprazan glurate offers reversible binding and a flexible pharmacodynamic profile, aiming to achieve higher healing rates and better symptom relief for patients who do not respond adequately to existing therapies.
Target Audience
Primary customers are pharmaceutical partners and healthcare providers seeking a next‑generation therapy for patients with moderate to severe erosive GERD or H. pylori infection who are inadequately controlled on standard PPI regimens.
Features
- PCAB mechanism that blocks the potassium channel of the proton pump, providing reversible and rapid acid inhibition
- Prodrug formulation (linaprazan glurate) delivering extended plasma residence time and lower C‑max, reducing liver exposure
- Demonstrated full gastric acid control after first dose in Phase I studies
- Superior efficacy signals in Phase II trial for moderate to severe erosive GERD
- Oral solid dosage form with a next‑generation formulation under development for Phase III
- Biomarker‑driven development using intragastric pH > 4 as a predictive endpoint for healing