Technology:
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common and potentially life-threatening inflammatory disease with no targeted pharmacological therapy. Current treatment is largely supportive, highlighting a significant unmet need for disease-modifying interventions.
This technology introduces a new class of small-molecule conjugates designed to attenuate pancreatic inflammation at its source by targeting the heparanase-driven inflammatory cascade. Heparanase is a key upstream regulator of extracellular matrix remodeling, cytokine release, autophagy, and tissue injury in acute pancreatitis, and its activity is markedly elevated during disease progression.
The approach is based on rationally designed conjugates combining known anti-inflammatory agents with heparanase-modulating moieties, resulting in enhanced pancreato-protective activity compared to the individual components. Lead compounds—including Aspirin–Trehalose–based conjugates—demonstrate robust efficacy in established in vivo models of acute pancreatitis, significantly reducing pancreatic edema, inflammatory signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, and biochemical markers of disease severity (amylase and lipase).
Importantly, these conjugates are small molecules, compatible with standard pharmaceutical development, and can be administered systemically. Their design leverages clinically familiar drug scaffolds, offering the potential for improved safety, optimized pharmacokinetics, and accelerated clinical translation.
Advantages:
• First targeted small-molecule therapy addressing disease mechanisms in acute pancreatitis.
• Acts upstream of inflammatory amplification, not just symptom control.
• Demonstrated in vivo efficacy across biochemical, histological, and functional endpoints.
• Built on clinically validated drug components, reducing development risk.
• Suitable for scalable manufacturing and standard regulatory pathways.
Applications and Opportunities:
• Treatment of acute pancreatitis, including severe and recurrent forms
• Expansion into other inflammatory conditions driven by heparanase activity
• Development of a pipeline of conjugate drugs with differentiated IP and lifecycle potential
• Licensing or co-development with pharma companies in GI, inflammation, or orphan diseases
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