LpxC

FG-2101 is Blacksmith's non-hydroxamate small molecule inhibitor of LpxC for treating Gram-negative bacteria infections including drug-resistant strains Presentation highlights Blacksmith's novel chemistry platform for targeting metalloenzymes SAN DIEGO, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Blacksmith Medicines, Inc. (Blacksmith), a leading biopharma dedicated to discovering and developing therapeutics targeting metalloenzymes, today disclosed the discovery and structure of FG-2101 at the American Chemical Society Spring 2025 meeting in San Diego, CA. FG-2101 is a non-hydroxamate small molecule antibiotic candidate discovered at Blacksmith that is designed to selectively inhibit LpxC, a zinc-dependent metalloenzyme found only in Gram-negative bacteria. FG-2101 is being developed for intravenous and oral routes of administration to treat Gram-negative bacteria infections, including drug-resistant strains. FG-2101 has advanced through IND enabling studies and is poised to enter human trials later this year. "Today's presentation at the ACS meeting showcases Blacksmith's innovative small molecule chemistry platform that combines fragment-based drug design (FBDD) and structure-based drug design (SBDD) with proprietary computational approaches for metalloenzymes," said Zachary Zimmerman, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Blacksmith. "In addition to representing an important milestone for FG-2101 as a potential treatment for serious bacterial infections, today's presentation further validates the Blacksmith chemistry platform as a solution for novel small molecule inhibitors of disease-causing metalloenzymes that have been problematic to drug development." TITLE: First disclosure of FG-2101: A novel non-hydroxamate inhibitor of LpxC for treating Gram-negative bacteria infections including drug-resistant strains SESSION: First Time Disclosures DAY & TIME OF PRESENTATION: Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 9:05 AM - 9:35 AM ROOM & LOCATION: Room 28A/B - San Diego Convention Center PRESENTER: Seth Cohen, Ph.D., co-founder of Blacksmith Medicines and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, U.C. San Diego "For the past 23 years, my lab at U.C. San Diego has been working on developing a novel fragment-based drug discovery approach for inhibitors of medically relevant metalloenzymes. This unique platform has been leveraged by Blacksmith to create first-in-class and best-in-class medicines," said Seth Cohen, Ph.D., co-founder of Blacksmith Medicines and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, U.C. San Diego. "As a scientific co-founder of Blacksmith, a chemistry-based platform company based in San Diego with technology from U.C. San Diego, I am proud to present Blacksmith's lead program FG-2101 at ACS First Time Disclosures session being held in our hometown of San Diego." The FG-2101 program is currently supported under a contract with NIAID (75N93022C00060). About LpxC LpxC, a zinc-dependent hydrolase, is an attractive and highly sought-after antibiotic target – it is conserved across Gram-negative bacteria and not found in Gram-positive bacteria or human cells. Inhibiting LpxC results in potent killing of Gram-negative bacteria with the expected benefit of sparing protective Gram-positive bacteria, such as those residing in the microbiome of the gut which help to deter opportunistic C. difficile infections. Other LpxC inhibitors have been evaluated by biopharma in the past, but chemistry limitations (e.g., use of hydroxamic acid-based warheads) have yielded ineffective compounds that suffer from poor drug-like properties. Thus, there are no approved therapeutics targeting LpxC. Blacksmith, using its proprietary chemistry platform, has developed novel non-hydroxamate inhibitors of LpxC that are safe and effective in animal models of Gram-negative infection and are able to kill Gram-negative 'superbugs' where other antibiotics are ineffective. About metalloenzymes and the Blacksmith platform Metalloenzymes utilize a metal ion cofactor in the enzyme active site to perform essential biological functions. This diverse class of targets has historically been difficult to drug due to small molecule chemistry limitations that have plagued the industry. The Blacksmith metalloenzyme platform has solved this problem by leveraging the following: A large proprietary fragment library of metal-binding pharmacophores (MBPs); A comprehensive database containing a full characterization of the metalloenzyme genome including functions, metal cofactors, and associations to disease; A first-of-its-kind metallo-CRISPR library of custom single guide RNAs; An industry-leading metalloenzyme computational toolkit for docking, modeling and structure-based drug design; and A robust and blocking intellectual property estate covering bioinorganic, medicinal, and computational chemistry approaches for metalloenzyme-targeted medicines. About Blacksmith Medicines At Blacksmith Medicines, we are developing medicines targeting metal-dependent enzymes. Over 30% of known enzymes are metalloenzymes, covering all major enzyme classes: oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, and ligases. Metal ions, including magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese and copper, are the essential ingredient in these metalloenzymes. We recognized a large unmet need for new chemical matter and innovative approaches to drug this important class of enzymes. Our purpose-built platform for metalloenzyme-targeted medicines combines, for the first time in industry, a focused library of metal-binding pharmacophores with proprietary computational modeling approaches to rapidly and rationally design small molecule inhibitors that interact with key metal ions in the enzyme's active site. Our comprehensive knowledge of the metal environment and key active site interactions enables Blacksmith to rapidly build potent and selective inhibitors in a stepwise and predictable manner. Blacksmith has executed strategic drug discovery collaborations with Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd., Cyteir Therapeutics Inc., Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly), Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., and Zoetis LLC., and has been awarded non-dilutive Federal funding agreements with CARB-X and NIH/NIAID. Blacksmith investors include Lilly, Evotec A.G., MP Healthcare Partners, MagnaSci Ventures, and Alexandria Venture Investments. For further information, please visit the company's website and LinkedIn Media Contact: Amy Conrad Juniper Point [email protected] 858-366-3243 SOURCE Blacksmith Medicines WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

SAN DIEGO, March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blacksmith Medicines, Inc. (Blacksmith), a leading biopharma dedicated to discovering and developing medicines targeting metalloenzymes, announced today that it will present a talk and poster highlighting its novel chemistry technology platform for metalloenzyme inhibitors of LpxC for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria at the New Antibacterial Discovery and Development Gordon Research Conference (GRC): Innovative Approaches in Antibacterial Research and Development to Fight the Antibiotic Resistance Crisis being held March 17-22, 2024, in Ventura, CA. "We are looking forward to attending the GRC and presenting an overview of Blacksmith's discovery platform along with a progress update on our novel class small-molecule antibacterial targeting LpxC," said Andrew Tomaras, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Blacksmith. "Our lead candidate, currently undergoing IND-enabling studies, has demonstrated activity against susceptible and multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms included on the WHO and CDC bacterial threat lists, and is currently being pursued using both IV and oral routes of administration for indications such as UTI." Talk Presentation Details: Title: "Anti-Infective Candidates with Novel Targets Using the Blacksmith Discovery Platform" Category: Discovery Pipelines, Hits, Leads and Candidates Date and Time: Tuesday, March 19 at 11:05am – 11:25am Pacific Poster Presentation Details: Title: "Advanced preclinical in vitro and in vivo characterization of a novel, non-hydroxamate-based LpxC inhibitor for the intravenous and oral treatment of multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales" Date and Time: Thursday, March 21 at 4:00pm – 6:00pm Pacific Poster Board Number: 13 More information can be found on the meeting website at 2024 New Antibacterial Discovery and Development GRC and, following the presentation, a version of the poster will be made available on the Blacksmith Medicines website About LpxC LpxC, a zinc hydrolase, is an attractive and highly sought-after antibiotic target – it is conserved across Gram-negative bacteria and not found in Gram-positive bacteria or human cells. Inhibiting LpxC results in potent killing of Gram-negative bacteria with the benefit of sparing Gram-positive bacteria such as those residing in the protective microbiome of the gut which help to deter opportunistic C. difficile infections. Other LpxC inhibitors have been evaluated by biopharma in the past but chemistry limitations (e.g. hydroxamic acid) have yielded ineffective compounds that suffer from poor drug-like properties. Thus, there are no approved therapeutics targeting LpxC. Blacksmith, using its proprietary chemistry platform, has developed novel non-hydroxamate inhibitors of LpxC that are safe and effective in animal models of Gram-negative infection and are able to kill Gram-negative 'superbugs' where other antibiotics are ineffective. About metalloenzymes and the Blacksmith platform Metalloenzymes utilize a metal ion cofactor in the enzyme active site to perform essential biological functions. This diverse class of targets has historically been difficult to drug due to small molecule chemistry limitations that have plagued the industry. The Blacksmith metalloenzyme platform has solved this problem by leveraging the following: A large proprietary fragment library of metal-binding pharmacophores (MBPs); A comprehensive database containing a full characterization of the metalloenzyme genome including functions, metal cofactors, and associations to disease; A first-of-its-kind metallo-CRISPR library of custom single guide RNAs; An industry-leading metalloenzyme computational toolkit for docking, modeling and structure-based drug design; and A robust and blocking intellectual property estate covering bioinorganic, medicinal, and computational chemistry approaches for metalloenzyme-targeted medicines. About Blacksmith Medicines At Blacksmith Medicines, we are developing medicines targeting metal-dependent enzymes. Over 30% of known enzymes are metalloenzymes, covering all major enzyme classes: oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, and ligases. Metal ions, including magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese and copper, are the essential ingredient in these metalloenzymes. We recognized a large unmet need for new chemical matter and innovative approaches to drug this important class of enzymes. Our purpose-built platform for metalloenzyme-targeted medicines combines, for the first time in industry, a focused library of metal-binding pharmacophores with proprietary computational modeling approaches to rapidly and rationally design small molecule inhibitors that interact with key metal ions in the enzyme's active site. Our comprehensive knowledge of the metal environment and key active site interactions enables Blacksmith to rapidly build potent and selective inhibitors in a stepwise and predictable manner. Blacksmith has executed strategic drug discovery collaborations with Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd., Cyteir Therapeutics Inc., Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly), Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., and Zoetis LLC., and has been awarded non-dilutive Federal funding agreements with CARB-X and NIH/NIAID. Blacksmith investors include Lilly, Evotec A.G., MP Healthcare Partners, MagnaSci Ventures, and Alexandria Venture Investments. For further information, please visit the company's website and LinkedIn. Media Contact: Amy Conrad Juniper Point [email protected] 858-366-3243 SOURCE Blacksmith Medicines

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blacksmith Medicines, Inc. (Blacksmith), a leading biopharma dedicated to discovering and developing medicines targeting metalloenzymes, announced today the release of $3.3M from its contract with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to conduct IND-enabling and Phase 1 studies of FG-2101, its novel non-hydroxamate LpxC inhibitor, using both intravenous (IV) and oral administration for the treatment of urinary tract infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The company's recent successful completion of certain Base Period activities including preclinical toxicology studies triggered the release of this award under its contract with NIAID (75N93022C00060). The total funding could be up to $17.2M over five years, depending on contract options exercised. The new funding will be used for GMP clinical material manufacturing and IND preparation/submission. "With support from NIAID, we have successfully completed preclinical toxicology studies including 7-day and 14-day repeat dose assessments (non-GLP and GLP) and safety pharmacology evaluations including cardiovascular, respiratory and CNS assessments of our novel non-hydroxamate LpxC inhibitor FG-2101," said Andrew Tomaras, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Blacksmith. "Next, with the achievement of these safety studies, we will initiate the preparation of an investigational new drug (IND) application as well as the manufacturing campaign of GMP material for upcoming clinical studies. We are extremely grateful to the NIAID team for their continued support for the candidacy of our potential first-in-class antibacterial agent." About LpxC LpxC, a zinc metalloenzyme, is an attractive and highly sought-after antibiotic target – it is conserved across Gram-negative bacteria and not found in Gram-positive bacteria or human cells. Inhibiting LpxC results in potent killing of Gram-negative bacteria with the presumed benefit of sparing Gram-positive bacteria such as those residing in the protective microbiome of the gut which help to deter opportunistic C. difficile infections. Other LpxC inhibitors have been evaluated by biopharma in the past but chemistry limitations (e.g. hydroxamic acid) have yielded ineffective compounds that suffer from poor drug-like properties. Thus, there are no approved therapeutics targeting LpxC. Blacksmith, using its proprietary chemistry platform, has developed novel non-hydroxamate inhibitors of LpxC that are safe and effective in animal models of Gram-negative infection and are able to kill Gram-negative 'superbugs' where other antibiotics are ineffective. About metalloenzymes and the Blacksmith platform Metalloenzymes utilize a metal ion cofactor in the enzyme active site to perform essential biological functions. This diverse class of targets has historically been difficult to drug due to small molecule chemistry limitations that have plagued the industry. The Blacksmith metalloenzyme platform has solved this problem by leveraging the following: A large proprietary fragment library of metal-binding pharmacophores (MBPs); A comprehensive database containing a full characterization of the metalloenzyme genome including functions, metal cofactors, and associations to disease; A first-of-its-kind metallo-CRISPR library of custom single guide RNAs; An industry-leading metalloenzyme computational toolkit for docking, modeling and structure-based drug design; and A robust and blocking intellectual property estate covering bioinorganic, medicinal, and computational chemistry approaches for metalloenzyme-targeted medicines. About Blacksmith Medicines At Blacksmith Medicines, we are developing medicines targeting metal-dependent enzymes. Over 30% of known enzymes are metalloenzymes, covering all major enzyme classes: oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, and ligases. Metal ions, including magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese and copper, are the essential ingredient in these metalloenzymes. We recognized a large unmet need for new chemical matter and innovative approaches to drug this important class of enzymes. Our purpose-built platform for metalloenzyme-targeted medicines combines, for the first time in industry, a focused library of metal-binding pharmacophores with proprietary computational modeling approaches to rapidly and rationally design small molecule inhibitors that interact with key metal ions in the enzyme's active site. Our comprehensive knowledge of the metal environment and key active site interactions enables Blacksmith to rapidly build potent and selective inhibitors in a stepwise and predictable manner. Blacksmith has executed strategic drug discovery collaborations with Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd., Cyteir Therapeutics Inc., Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly), Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., and Zoetis LLC., and has been awarded non-dilutive Federal funding agreements with CARB-X and NIH/NIAID. Blacksmith investors include Lilly, Evotec A.G., MP Healthcare Partners, MagnaSci Ventures, and Alexandria Venture Investments. For further information, please visit the company's website and LinkedIn Media Contact: Amy Conrad Juniper Point [email protected] 858-366-3243 SOURCE Blacksmith Medicines