Halia and Biolexis Identify Novel Candidate for NLRP3-Driven Neuroinflammation

Halia Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Lehi, Utah, and Biolexis Therapeutics, a biotechnology firm located in American Fork, Utah, have announced a successful collaboration. This partnership has led to the identification of a novel small molecule candidate that can penetrate the brain and target NLRP3-driven neuroinflammation. The discovery was made possible through Biolexis' advanced AI-enabled drug discovery approach called MolecuLern™.

David Bearss, Ph.D., the President and CEO of Halia Therapeutics and Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board at Biolexis Therapeutics, expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration. He highlighted the potential of the newly identified clinical candidate to revolutionize treatments for neuroinflammatory diseases. Bearss emphasized the effectiveness of combining Halia's expertise in neuroinflammation with Biolexis' innovative AI technology.

Hariprasad Vankayalapati, Ph.D., the Chief Scientific Officer of Biolexis Therapeutics, echoed Bearss' sentiments. He noted that the collaboration with Halia Therapeutics provided an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of their MolecuLern process. Vankayalapati expressed excitement about the potential of the new clinical candidate and its future development, hoping it will offer new hope to patients suffering from debilitating neurodegenerative diseases.

Biolexis Therapeutics' MolecuLern AI-enabled approach has already proven effective in identifying numerous promising therapeutic candidates. These candidates have shown desired efficacy and safety profiles for protein targets associated with various diseases that have high unmet medical needs. The successful identification of this new clinical candidate marks a significant advancement as it moves into further preclinical studies. The ultimate goal is to develop a novel treatment for neuroinflammatory disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

Neuroinflammatory disorders are characterized by chronic brain inflammation, which causes progressive neuronal damage and poses significant clinical challenges. The new therapeutic approach aims to address these challenges by specifically targeting NLRP3-driven neuroinflammation, thereby tackling the root causes of these debilitating conditions.

Halia Therapeutics is focused on discovering and developing a pipeline of novel therapeutics aimed at improving the lives of patients with chronic inflammatory disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Their initial programs target NEK7 and LRRK2. The company's lead candidate, HT-6184, is a novel NEK7/NLRP3 inhibitor. A Phase I study (NCT05447546) has already been completed, evaluating the safety and tolerability of HT-6184 when administered as single or multiple oral doses at escalating dose levels in healthy volunteers. Halia also has two ongoing Phase II trials to evaluate the efficacy of HT-6184 for the treatment of lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS) and post-procedure diagnostic biomarkers of inflammation and pain (NCT06241742).

Biolexis Therapeutics specializes in AI-enabled drug discovery through its proprietary MolecuLern™ process. The company focuses on accelerating the identification and development of novel therapeutic candidates by leveraging leading-edge technology to address various medical challenges.

This collaboration between Halia Therapeutics and Biolexis Therapeutics highlights the promising potential of integrating advanced AI tools with expertise in neuroinflammation. The successful identification of a new brain-penetrant small molecule candidate marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to develop effective treatments for neuroinflammatory disorders, offering new hope for patients suffering from these conditions.

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