Stelic Institute & Co. is focused on the discovery, validation and development of anti-fibrotic therapeutics that target glycogenes and their products.
Since Stelic’s founding in 2004, we have successfully prepared a set of anti-fibrosis drug candidates through a strategic research program, which is based on our pioneering concept: Smart modification of carbohydrate chains through glycogene-based approaches greatly modulate local pathological fields associated with fibrotic diseases. Blockage of a certain type of glycogene, which we designate the “G family”, ameliorates fibrogenesis by reducing accumulation and activation of fibroblasts, which are the effector cells in fibrogenesis. As a first proof-of-concept drug, our lead molecule STNM01 is designed to target a specific glycogene and is in development for the treatment of intestinal fibrosis associated with Crohn’s disease (CD). Stelic Institute & Co. is also generating pre-clinical-stage compounds, each targeting distinct glycogenes and offering the potential to treat various fibrosis-associated diseases.
STNM01 is a locally injected, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based drug that offers distinct advantages over currently available therapies for Crohn’s Disease.
- A mechanism distinct from anti-inflammatory agents like TNF antagonists.
- Since the mechanism of action of STNM01 is anti-fibrotic, additive or synergistic effects with anti-inflammatory agents are expected.
- Less invasive than surgery.
- Most patients with CD stricture will require invasive treatments, such as endoscopic balloon dilatation and in-patient surgery. STNM01 will provide additional way to manage intestinal stricture without the need for hospitalization.
- Safety.
- STNM01 is effective locally but not detectable in the circulation or other intact organs, thus preventing dangerous side-effects.
- Wider application.
- STNM01 possesses great potential for a wide variety of indications such as other intestinal fibrosis (i.e, intestinal stenosis after endoscopic mucosal resection in any GI tract cancers, ulcerative colitis, radiation colitis, etc.), as well as collagen diseases and allergies, including rheumatoid arthritis.
Based on comprehensive in vivo gene silencing approaches to various disease models, additional pipeline candidates targeting distinct members of the G family are being prepared for the treatment of various fibrosis-associated diseases such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Dementia, Parkinson’s disease (PD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), autoimmune myocarditis, atopic dermatitis, and so on.
Stelic Institute & Co. also provides translational research-related technology including a novel proprietary NASH animal model and biomarkers for fibrosis. These can contribute to both pre-clinical and clinical programs, since quantitative endpoints reflecting fibrotic responses should shorten the development timeline.
