The science behind the company
Ermium Therapeutics is based on the recently published , breakthrough finding of Dr Jean-Philippe Herbeuval’s team at CNRS and University of Paris. They discovered that the well-known G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) chemokine receptor, CXCR4, acts as a master regulator of inflammation via a novel mechanism of action.
A Novel Master Regulator
This novel mechanism of action, in contrast to classical CXCR4 antagonists, allows to control efficiently the production of type 1 interferons by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) known to play a central and upstream role in the inflammatory cascade.
First chemical series generation, and proof of concept in several auto-immune disease animal models of auto-immune diseases have opened the door to the discovery of a brand-new class of drugs to be developed by Ermium.
Competitive advantages
1. Potency
Ability to potently downmodulate type I interferons and other key inflammatory cytokines.
2. Modularity
Modulation of a panel of key immune cells expressing CXCR4, including pDC.
3. Selectivity
CXCR4 expression is nearly exclusively expressed by immune cells.
4. Oral administration
A key property for drug candidates aimed to be used in chronic diseases.
