Therini Bio Shares Positive Preclinical Data on THN391 for Neurodegenerative Ocular Diseases

Therini Bio, a biotechnology company advancing fibrin-targeting immunotherapies for neurodegenerative diseases linked to vascular dysfunction, recently unveiled promising preclinical results for its leading candidate, THN391. The data, presented by Aaron Kantor, Ph.D., Head of Translational Sciences at Therini Bio, during the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2024 Annual Meeting, highlights the potential of THN391 for treating neurodegenerative ocular diseases.

Vascular dysfunction, driven by aging, genetic factors, and conditions like hypertension and diabetes, leads to the accumulation of toxic fibrin deposits around blood vessels. This accumulation triggers chronic activation of innate immune cells, which is believed to be a principal mechanism behind several neurodegenerative ocular conditions, including diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic macular edema (DME), and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Therini Bio has developed THN391, a monoclonal antibody that selectively targets fibrin-mediated neuroinflammation without affecting fibrin's roles in blood coagulation.

The preclinical studies demonstrated that THN391 and its analogs are effective in protecting against vascular and neuronal degeneration in models of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. In a rat model of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (LCNV), which simulates macular degeneration, intravitreal administration of THN391 significantly reduced both lesion area and vascular permeability as evaluated through quantitative fluorescein angiography (qFA). The efficacy of THN391 was on par with that of VEGF antagonists. Similar results were observed in a mouse model of diabetic retinopathy induced by streptozotocin (STZ), where THN391 also reduced vascular permeability, as measured by qFA.

Joel Naor, M.D., Chief Medical Officer - Ophthalmology at Therini Bio, expressed optimism about the data, noting the potential of THN391 to influence key disease mechanisms when used alone or in combination with VEGF antagonists, thereby offering benefits beyond current standard treatments.

Therini Bio is gearing up to start a Phase 1/2a trial for THN391 in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in the latter half of 2024. Preliminary results from an ongoing Phase 1a trial in healthy volunteers indicate that intravenous THN391 is safe, well-tolerated, has a prolonged half-life, and does not negatively impact coagulation.

Therini Bio’s research poster, titled "A Novel Anti-Fibrin Antibody to Treat Neurogenerative Ocular Diseases," was presented at the ARVO 2024 meeting. The poster is accessible in the Publications section on Therini Bio’s website.

Therini Bio is committed to developing immunotherapies targeting neuroinflammation caused by vascular dysfunction in various diseases. Their pipeline includes potential first-in-class treatments that focus on toxic fibrin accumulation, addressing conditions like Alzheimer's disease and diabetic macular edema, where neuroinflammation is a critical factor. The foundational science behind these therapies was developed in the laboratories of Katerina Akassoglou, Ph.D., at the Gladstone Institutes, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), and previously at the University of California San Diego (UCSD).

Therini Bio is backed by a distinguished group of life sciences investors, including the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, SV Health Investors’ Biotech Fund, and Dementia Discovery Fund, among others.