SciRhom GmbH develops first-in-class humanized antibodies targeting iRhom2 to selectively inhibit TACE, a key enzyme involved in pro-inflammatory signaling pathways associated with autoimmune diseases. This approach aims to provide effective treatments for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease without the severe side effects linked to traditional TACE inhibitors.
Funding
$85.6M 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.
APMCFounders
Product
Problem
Current treatments for autoimmune diseases often target single pro-inflammatory pathways, leading to limited efficacy and potential side effects due to the broad inhibition of essential enzymes. Directly inhibiting TACE, a key enzyme in multiple pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, has proven challenging due to severe side effects arising from the disruption of its protective functions in epithelial tissues.
Solution
SciRhom is developing first-in-class humanized antibodies that selectively target iRhom2, a regulator of TACE, to inhibit pro-inflammatory signaling in autoimmune diseases. By targeting iRhom2, SciRhom's antibodies aim to block multiple pro-inflammatory pathways, including TNF-alpha, IL-6R, and EGFR signaling, without affecting TACE's protective functions. This approach has demonstrated superior efficacy and a favorable safety profile in preclinical studies, positioning anti-iRhom2 antibodies as potential treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus nephritis, and other autoimmune disorders. The company's lead candidate, SR-878, is currently in clinical development to assess its safety, tolerability, and potential clinical benefits in patients with autoimmune diseases.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes individuals suffering from autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and lupus nephritis, as well as clinicians specializing in rheumatology and immunology.
Features
- Targets iRhom2 to selectively inhibit TACE activity in immune cells
- Simultaneously blocks multiple pro-inflammatory pathways (TNF-alpha, IL-6R, EGFR)
- Preserves TACE's protective functions in epithelial tissues
- Demonstrates superior efficacy compared to existing treatments in preclinical models of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease
- Exhibits a favorable safety profile in preclinical toxicology studies
- Utilizes a robust biopharmaceutical manufacturing process for consistent antibody production
- Lead candidate SR-878 is a humanized monoclonal antibody