[IL2112] CXCR 7 Agonist for Neurodegenerative Diseases 

• Potentially first-in-class, orally available, small molecule CXCR7 agonist with a high permeability for the blood–brain barrier (BBB) for various neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), etc.

• Brain injury triggers the accumulation of microglia via the CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway, while concurrently inducing the attenuation of the CXCR7/PI3K/Akt signaling cascade in astrocytes.

• Activation of CXCR7 holds promise in treating neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS, MS, and Parkinson's disease through dual mechanisms: (i) Induction of A2 astrocyte phenotype (anti-inflammatory) and (ii) suppression of microglial activity mediated by CXCR4/CXCL12 via CXCL12 scavenging or degradation.

• Thus far, the lead candidate has demonstrated good efficacy in the Mog-EAE (encephalomyelitis) mice model for the MS and additional neurodegeneration animal models are either ongoing or being planned.