Akari is developing inhibitors of acute and chronic inflammation, specifically the complement and leukotriene systems, to treat rare and orphan diseases with unmet need. We believe that blocking early mediators of inflammation prevents initiation and continual amplification of the processes that cause certain diseases.
Nomacopan is a recombinant small protein (16,740 Da) that acts on complement component-C5, preventing release of C5a and formation of C5b–9 (also known as the membrane attack complex, or MAC), and independently also inhibits leukotriene B4, or LTB4, activity, both elements that are co-located as part of the immune/inflammatory response.
Nomacopan is currently being evaluated in four areas:
- Bullous pemphigoid (BP), a severe blistering skin disease
- Hematopoietic stem cell transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (HSCT TMA)
- Ophthalmic conditions for both surface and back of the eye
- Pulmonary conditions
Akari believes that the dual action of nomacopan on both C5 and LTB4 may be beneficial in its target conditions. Akari is also developing other tick-derived proteins, including longer-acting versions.
Nomacopan is a highly soluble and stable biological molecule that independently binds to both C5 and LTB4. This novel dual binding enables targeting of two distinct and separate disease categories based on their underlying etiology.
Primary/Lead Indications in Phase II/III Plus Pipeline of Earlier-Stage Targets
