SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for the potential treatment of a broad range of neurosensory-inflammatory disorders, today announced the presentation of preclinical data related to the company’s EP262 development program at the 6th GA2LEN Global Urticaria Forum being held in Berlin, Germany, December 7-8, 2022.
EP262, a potent, highly selective antagonist of Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2), represents a novel, targeted approach to the treatment of mast cell-mediated disorders. The presentation highlights preclinical data demonstrating that EP262 potently inhibits MRGPRX2-mediated degranulation of mast cells, including the release of histamine, tryptase and inflammatory cytokines, key mediators involved in the pathophysiology of chronic spontaneous and inducible urticarias.
Details of the presentation are shown below:
Presentation Title: Treatment with MRGPRX2 Antagonist EP262 Inhibits Mast Cell Degranulation
Presenter: Veena Viswanath, PhD, Vice President of Translational Biology and Drug Discovery, Escient Pharmaceuticals
Session Title: Treatment of Urticaria
Session Date and Time: Thursday, December 8, 2022, 8:45-10:00AM CET
Conference website: https://globalurticariaforum.org/
The abstract is available on Escient’s website (under Scientific Presentations) here: https://www.escientpharma.com/science/publications/
About EP262
EP262 is a potent, highly selective once-daily small molecule antagonist of MRGPRX2, a receptor expressed on mast cells that is activated by numerous ligands, including many peptides released from sensory neurons as well as other cell types. In response to MRGPRX2 activation, mast cells release histamine, tryptase, chymase, chemokines and cytokines, which can cause itchy hives, angioedema, type 2 inflammation (through engagement of the adaptive immune system) and chronic pruritus and pain. By blocking activation of MRGPRX2, Escient believes EP262 has the potential to effectively treat a broad range of mast-cell-mediated diseases, with an initial focus on chronic urticarias and atopic dermatitis.
About Chronic Urticaria
Chronic urticaria, defined as urticaria persisting for more than 6 weeks, manifests with very itchy hives that may vary in size and can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life by interfering with sleep and daily activities. Some patients with chronic urticaria may also develop swelling deeper under the skin or in other tissues (angioedema). There are two main forms of chronic urticaria. In chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), hives occur spontaneously, without known triggers. In chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU), hives are induced by specific triggers such as cold exposure (cold urticaria) or touch (symptomatic dermographism), among others.
About Escient Pharmaceuticals
Escient Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage company focused on developing novel therapeutics to address a broad range of neurosensory-inflammatory disorders. The company’s pipeline includes two first-in-class small molecule antagonists targeting MRGPRX2 for the treatment of various mast cell mediated disorders and MRGPRX4 for cholestatic pruritus. Based in San Diego, California, Escient is led by an experienced management and scientific team and funded by top-tier life science investors.
