Integrating the Integrins

With its first compound about to move into Phase II trials, Stromedix Inc. felt it had enough capacity to begin preclinical development of another. To find a new candidate, the company turned to the researcher who helped with its first molecule, announcing last month that it has licensed a human mAb against integrin alpha(v)beta(5) from the University of California, San Francisco.

Founded in 2006 by Michael Gilman to develop antifibrotic therapies, Stromedix has focused on targeting integrin proteins because they are activators of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta, a cytokine that drives the profibrotic response of fibroblasts following injury. By blocking specific activators of TGF beta rather than targeting the cytokine itself, Stromedix hopes to generate a strong antifibrotic response without disrupting the many other important functions TGF beta plays in the immune system and other tissues...