Veralox Therapeutics is developing small molecule therapeutics that inhibit the 12-Lipoxygenase pathway to treat Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) and Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). By targeting this enzyme, the company aims to reduce proinflammatory metabolites that contribute to platelet activation in HIT and enhance insulin production in T1D.
Funding
$24M 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
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially fatal complication arising from heparin treatment, leading to hyperactivated platelets and a pro-thrombotic state. Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is characterized by the progressive loss of insulin-producing β cells due to immune-mediated attack. Current therapies do not directly address the underlying inflammatory pathways contributing to these diseases.
Solution
Veralox Therapeutics is developing small molecule therapeutics that target the 12-Lipoxygenase (12-LOX) pathway to treat Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) and Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Their lead drug candidate, VLX-1005, inhibits 12-LOX, reducing the production of proinflammatory metabolites like 12-HETE, which plays a key role in platelet activation and thrombosis in HIT. In T1D, inhibiting 12-LOX aims to protect β cells, enhancing insulin production and resilience against immune attack. VLX-1005 has received Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation from the FDA for HIT. The company is also developing second-generation, orally bioavailable 12-LOX antagonists for T1D and other immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) and Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), as well as healthcare providers specializing in hematology, endocrinology, and immune-inflammatory diseases.
Features
- VLX-1005: A first-in-class, potent, and selective small molecule inhibitor of 12-LOX for the treatment of HIT.
- Inhibition of 12-HETE production, reducing platelet activation and thrombosis in HIT.
- Potential disease-modifying therapy for T1D by protecting β cells and enhancing insulin production.
- Oral bioavailability for second-generation 12-LOX antagonists targeting T1D and other inflammatory diseases.
- VLX-1005 has demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile and preferred pharmacokinetics in Phase 1 clinical trials.
- Currently enrolling patients in a Phase 2 clinical study (ALATHEA) to evaluate VLX-1005 in patients with suspected HIT (NCT05785819).