Predevelopment of VV a Novel CRAC Channel Inhibitor for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Vivreon Biosciences NIAID SBIR PA Project Summary Vivreon Biosciences is pleased to apply for NIAID SBIR Solicitation PA Vivreon Biosciences is an innovative life sciences company that is developing a novel small molecule Ca channel inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis UC Our lead compound VV achieves immunosuppression by an entirely new mechanism colon restricted inhibition of Ca release activated Ca CRAC channels to block colitis Vivreon seeks NIAID funding to bridge the gap between discovery and development We will perform formulation chemistry and in vivo colitis efficacy studies Upon successful completion of the program our preclinical candidate will be the first to specifically target the CRAC pathway for immunosuppression in UC thus comprising an entirely new tool in the battle against inflammatory bowel diseases IBD Vivreon has discovered a lead compound VV which inhibits inflammation by blocking CRAC channel activity with nM potency suppressing M like NF B activity while preserving M like phagocytosis Importantly VV has extremely low epithelial permeability a key feature of many topical oral IBD therapeutics that remain in the gut lumen This permits VV to achieve colon restricted immunosuppression avoiding unwanted systemic side effects We have developed several strategies for a novel oral colon targeted delivery and these routes will be pursued to identify a formulation suitable for future Investigational New Drug IND enabling studies The candidate will be confirmed using an animal model suitable for UC adoptive transfer colitis Dr Cahalan University of California Irvine The final aim for this proposal is characterization and testing of the first CRAC channel inhibitor for UC therapy Vivreon Biosciences NIAID SBIR PA Project Narrative Vivreon Biosciences is conducting predevelopment studies for VV a novel therapeutic to block pathogenic inflammation in persons with ulcerative colitis UC VV does not penetrate epithelial layers allowing for colon targeted immunosuppression without systemic side effects Numerous UC patients are unresponsive to current therapies and VV provides a new therapeutic mechanism for targeted inhibition of gut resident inflammatory Ca release activated Ca CRAC channels