DeepCure Partners with Leeds Institute to Test DC-9476 for Rheumatoid Arthritis

DeepCure, a pioneering therapeutics company leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for drug discovery, has embarked on a significant collaboration with the Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM), a leading research center specializing in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This partnership aims to investigate the potential of DC-9476, a third-generation selective BRD4 (BD2) inhibitor, as a novel treatment for RA patients who do not respond adequately to existing therapies. 

DC-9476 targets the Brd4 protein, part of the BET family, and is designed to reduce tissue and blood levels of cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL6, IL-17, and IL-1b, which are crucial in regulating immune responses and are typically elevated in autoimmune conditions. The inhibitor is engineered for greater selectivity towards Brd4 and BD2 compared to its predecessors, aiming to enhance safety. Preclinical models of RA have shown that DC-9476 not only offers improved safety but also superior efficacy when compared to standard RA treatments, including TNF inhibitors and JAK inhibitors.

At the Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, a highly experienced team will conduct research on DC-9476. This will involve analyzing blood samples and joint biopsies from various patient subgroups using advanced translational tools developed at the institute. The focus will particularly be on samples from patients who are difficult to treat or do not respond to currently approved therapies. The studies will include detailed examinations of gene expression patterns and cytokine levels in patient cells and tissues.

Dr. Kulveer Mankia, Clinical Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist at LIRMM, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with DeepCure, stating that DC-9476 could represent a new treatment paradigm for RA patients who have limited options due to poor responses to existing therapies. He highlighted the potential benefits of DC-9476's activity against multiple immune pathways, expressing hope that this partnership could lead to significant advancements in patient care.

Kfir Schreiber, CEO and Co-Founder of DeepCure, also voiced excitement about the collaboration. He emphasized the benefits of working with LIRMM's clinicians and scientists, who are experts in the complexities of RA and the unmet needs of its patients. Schreiber noted that this collaboration would enable the evaluation of DC-9476's efficacy in patient-derived samples and help to identify RA patient subgroups that might benefit the most from this novel compound.

DeepCure, established by MIT researchers, is dedicated to accelerating the development of breakthrough therapies using AI and cutting-edge technologies to innovate small molecule discovery. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the company comprises a team of engineers, chemists, and biologists who work collaboratively on challenging problems to deliver impactful solutions for patient health.

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