Teva spinoff CleveXel Pharma is partnering with small molecule-focused Israeli firm Dynamix Pharmaceuticals to develop a dual-mechanism SYK/JAK molecule, DNX-04042, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The product, which is orally active, is Dynamix’ lead development program.
Through this collaboration, the companies hope to bring the RA project to
2015.
According to the firms, DNX-04042 is a oral, small molecule inhibitor of both SYK and JAK3 with significant selectivity within the JAK-family and across the kinome. The investigational treatment exhibits over 1,500-fold selectivity in cells for JAK3 over JAK2 inhibition. DNX-04042 reportedly has demonstrated excellent safety in a preclinical MTD study and a very strong anticancer effect in a mouse xenograft study of B-cell lymphoma.
“For CleveXel, the partnership will innovate in inflammatory disease, potentially also in oncology,” said the firm’s CEO Christian Bloy in a statement. “JAK3 and SYK represent new targets that are extremely interesting
in order to develop an orally administered product.”
CleveXel, which was formed after the management/buyout of the Teva Development Center located in Maisons-Alfort (Val de Marne), France, says this is the fourth molecule in its product portfolio since the beginning of 2013.