Clear Creek Bio develops novel small molecule therapeutics targeting host pathways for antiviral and oncology applications. The company is advancing brequinar, an oral dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor that blocks de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. They are also developing protease (PLpro) inhibitors designed to directly block viral replication and modulate innate immunity.
Funding
$37.2M 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
Viral diseases and cancer cause millions of deaths annually, highlighting the need for safe, effective, and easily administered therapeutics. Current treatment options may not fully address the complex mechanisms of viral replication and tumor growth.
Solution
Clear Creek Bio is developing small molecule therapeutics that target both the host and the virus to combat viral diseases and cancer. Their lead candidate, brequinar, is a potent oral inhibitor of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), an enzyme critical for pyrimidine biosynthesis, which is essential for DNA and RNA metabolism in both viruses and cancer cells. Additionally, they are developing inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 PLpro enzyme, a viral protease that is essential for viral replication and also dampens antiviral immune mechanisms. By targeting PLpro, Clear Creek Bio aims to directly block viral replication while simultaneously enhancing the body's natural antiviral defenses.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients suffering from viral infections, such as COVID-19, and individuals diagnosed with cancers that rely on pyrimidine biosynthesis for growth and proliferation.
Features
- Brequinar: A clinical-stage, orally available DHODH inhibitor that blocks pyrimidine biosynthesis.
- SARS-CoV-2 PLpro inhibitors: Target the viral PLpro enzyme to inhibit viral replication and enhance antiviral immunity.
- Host-targeting approach: Disrupts viral and cancer cell metabolism by targeting key host enzymes.
- Direct-acting small molecules: Designed for rapid development and ease of administration.