Cleara Biotech Presented By P.L.J. de (Peter) Keizer, PhD, Managing Director

Kitalys Institute
13 Dec 202215:42

Summary

TLDRIn this presentation, Peter Deciser from Clara discusses the company’s work targeting senescent cells to treat cancer and age-related diseases. By focusing on scarred senescent cells, particularly those with DNA damage, Clara developed peptide-based drugs that selectively eliminate these harmful cells without affecting healthy ones. The approach shows promise in preclinical models, particularly for cancer metastasis, offering potential for improved healthspan and therapeutic benefits. With favorable pharmacokinetics and efficacy data, Clara plans to move forward with clinical trials, aiming to start Phase 1 by 2024, marking a significant step toward translating this innovative research into treatments.

Takeaways

  • 😀 Clara focuses on targeting senescent cells to combat aging and cancer.
  • 😀 Senescent cells, often damaged, can lead to aging, cancer, and other chronic diseases.
  • 😀 Clara is working on eliminating specific types of senescent cells, particularly those driven by DNA damage, through a peptide-based therapy.
  • 😀 The peptide targets a complex involving the proteins Foxo4 and phosphorylated p53, which are key markers of senescent cells.
  • 😀 Research demonstrated that the peptide can effectively eliminate senescent cells both in vitro and in mouse models, improving health span and rejuvenating aged mice.
  • 😀 Clara's treatment strategy is designed to focus on cancer metastasis, particularly in cancers like colon, breast, and melanoma, where senescent cells are prevalent.
  • 😀 The treatment eliminates senescent cells in cancer metastases without promoting cancer cell proliferation, demonstrating a promising therapeutic effect.
  • 😀 Clara's new peptides have improved selectivity, stability, and efficacy compared to previous compounds, making them suitable for clinical translation.
  • 😀 The peptides show a significant reduction in cancer metastasis, particularly in liver and lung metastases, without the need for prolonged treatment.
  • 😀 Clara plans to enter clinical trials soon, with a focus on chronic diseases, age-related conditions, and cancer, following successful preclinical studies.
  • 😀 Clara's team continues to refine their compounds and treatment methods, aiming to start phase 1 clinical trials by 2024, with a promising outlook for targeting senescent cells in human health.

Q & A

  • What is the primary focus of Clara's research?

    -Clara focuses on targeting senescent cells, specifically the subtype known as 'scarred senescence,' to address aging-related diseases, cancer, and metabolic disorders like liver cirrhosis and NASH.

  • What are senescent cells, and why are they important in aging and disease?

    -Senescent cells are damaged cells that accumulate over time, either through DNA damage or other cellular stress. They play a significant role in aging and can contribute to various chronic diseases, including cancer.

  • What is scarred senescence, and how does it relate to cancer?

    -Scarred senescence is a subtype of senescent cells characterized by high DNA damage and the presence of specific proteins like Foxo4 and phosphorylated p53. This type of senescence is particularly involved in cancer metastasis, driving disease progression.

  • How does Clara's compound work to eliminate scarred senescent cells?

    -Clara's peptide-based compound targets and disrupts protein complexes, specifically the Foxo4-p53 interaction, which stabilizes the senescent state in these cells. By breaking these complexes, the peptide eliminates scarred senescent cells, thereby mitigating their negative effects.

  • What types of diseases could benefit from Clara's approach?

    -Clara's approach targets a variety of diseases, particularly cancers (due to metastasis) and aging-related diseases like liver cirrhosis, NASH, and musculoskeletal degeneration.

  • What were the key findings from Clara's preclinical studies?

    -Clara’s preclinical studies showed that their peptide compound effectively eliminated scarred senescent cells both in vitro and in animal models, leading to a reduction in cancer metastasis, especially in breast and colon cancer, without negatively affecting healthy cells.

  • How does Clara’s peptide show selectivity for scarred senescent cells?

    -The peptide has been designed to specifically target scarred senescent cells by binding to phosphorylated p53 in these cells, while sparing healthy cells. The selectivity is improved by optimizing the charge-charge interaction of the peptide, ensuring it only affects damaged cells.

  • What are the implications of Clara’s peptide for cancer treatment?

    -Clara’s peptide has the potential to reduce metastasis in cancer patients by targeting and eliminating the senescent cells that contribute to cancer progression. Preclinical models have shown that the peptide is effective in treating cancers like breast, colon, and melanoma.

  • What preclinical models were used to test the compound’s efficacy?

    -Clara used various cancer models, including breast cancer, colon cancer, and melanoma. They also performed pharmacokinetic studies in mice, showing that the peptide efficiently reaches tissues like the liver, kidney, and lungs, where it can act on senescent cells.

  • What is Clara’s plan for moving forward with clinical trials?

    -Clara plans to begin a phase 1 clinical trial by 2024. They are currently performing preclinical studies, including regulatory affairs and manufacturing optimization, to ensure the compound’s readiness for human trials.

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Related Tags
Senescent CellsCancer TreatmentAging ResearchMetabolic DiseasesPeptide TherapyPharmacologyDrug DevelopmentOncologyClinical TrialsHealthspanResearch Innovation