X-ray crystal of our lead candidate in HPSE
✽ Our Development Program
VL166 Candidate
Better cancer treatments
Currently VL166 is being developed to halt cancer progression and improve treatment outcomes through inhibition of heparanase, a well-known modulator of the extracellular matrix.
VL166, a covalent inhibitor, targets the enzyme heparanase.
We are currently advancing VL166 through preclinical development stages for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and explored in cancers with clinically associated expression levels of heparanase related to therapy resistance and cancer progression.
VL166 has shown efficacy in three different murine models: melanoma, breast cancer and multiple myeloma. In each model, treatment with VL166, resulted in a significant reduction of cancer progression.
Heparanase Inhibition Beyond Oncology
Our first-in-class covalent heparanase inhibitor presents compelling opportunities across multiple therapeutic areas, leveraging the fundamental role of heparanase in tissue remodelling and inflammatory processes.
Fibrotic Diseases: The dysregulation of extracellular matrix remodeling by heparanase drives tissue fibrosis. Our inhibitor's targeted approach shows promise in treating fibrosis or nevropathy, where current therapeutic options remain limited.
Inflammatory Diseases: Heparanase's critical role in sustaining inflammatory responses makes our inhibitor particularly relevant for chronic inflammatory conditions. Early research suggests potential applications in inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune disorders where heparanase activity contributes to tissue damage.
Diabetic Complications: The upregulation of heparanase in diabetic conditions contributes to microvascular complications. Our covalent inhibitor could address diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy by protecting the glycocalyx and maintaining vascular integrity.
Cardiovascular Disease: By preserving endothelial glycocalyx integrity, our heparanase inhibitor shows promise in preventing atherosclerosis progression and maintaining vascular health, potentially offering a novel approach to cardiovascular disease management.