The startup develops therapeutic drugs that target and remove excess pathological protein crosslinks in fibrotic organs, addressing the underlying causes of fibrosis. This platform enhances cellular functions such as adhesion and signaling, enabling patients to reverse fibrosis and improve their overall health span.
Funding
$3M 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
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal respiratory condition characterized by thickening and scarring of the lungs, with a median survival of two to three years after diagnosis. Current treatments for IPF have limited effectiveness, creating an urgent need for safer and more effective medicines to halt and reverse disease progression. The buildup of TG2 crosslinked proteins in aged fibrotic tissues contributes to the pathology of IPF.
Solution
Isterian Biotech is developing therapeutic inhibitors that target transglutaminase 2 (TG2), a key crosslinking enzyme, to reverse fibrosis and extend healthspan. The inhibitors are designed to selectively stop TG2 crosslinking by targeting the active site of TG2, which aids several important cellular functions including adhesion, proliferation, and signaling. By inhibiting TG2, the company aims to reduce pathological crosslinking and promote the degradation of TG2 crosslinked proteins, which are highly resistant to degradation and accumulate in aged fibrotic tissues. The company is initially focused on developing TG2 inhibitors for inhaled administration to treat IPF. Isterian's potent and selective TG2 inhibitors are developed using proprietary computer-aided drug design (CADD) models and rigorously tested employing a robust screening cascade.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes individuals over 50 years of age diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), as well as healthcare providers specializing in respiratory medicine.
Features
- Selective inhibition of transglutaminase 2 (TG2)
- Designed for inhaled administration
- Utilizes proprietary computer-aided drug design (CADD) models
- Undergoing rigorous testing via a robust screening cascade
- Targeting the active site of TG2 to selectively stop pathological crosslinking