MC2 Therapeutics gets option rights for oral drug candidate for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

MC2 Therapeutics has acquired option rights from Regranion, LLC to exclusively license Regranion’s RGRN-305 for the treatment of all human diseases, incl, oral treatment of HS globally, excluding the greater China region. RGRN-305 is an orally administered new chemical entity in preparation for clinical phase 2b.

Jesper J. Lange, CEO of MC2, said: “This agreement is part of our strategy to leverage our scientific know-how to develop novel treatment paradigms within immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases where patients have no or limited treatment options. RGRN-305 adds a third phase 2 stage project to our pipeline and holds the potential to become a leading oral drug for multiple large immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.”

He said that Regranion has demonstrated an outstanding can-do attitude in the development of RGRN-305 – a mindset that we embrace at MC2. We look forward to building on the value already created.

Gautam Ghatnekar, CEO of Regranionm believes that the compelling mode of action and the placebo controlled clinical trial data support the potential for RGRN-305 to become a leading oral drug for HS and other indications.

About RGRN-305
RGRN-305 is a new chemical entity small molecule, Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor with a proven capability to clinically attenuate skin inflammation through a novel mode of action enabled by exceptional pharmacological properties. RGRN-305 has been tested successfully in a small double-blinded, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept trial in Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Plaque Psoriasis.
HSP90 is a group of chaperone molecules involved in several cellular processes, incl. cellular signaling and recent evidence has demonstrated that HSP90 inhibition has strong anti-inflammatory properties. RGRN-305 selectively inhibits the two HSP90 isoforms, HSP90α and HSP90β and causes inhibition of several pro-inflammatory pathways involved in the pathogenesis of Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

About Hidradenitis Suppurativa (“HS”)
HS is an immune-mediated debilitating, life long, recurring, inflammatory skin disorder with a high, unmet medical need. It is characterized by chronic, painful nodules, abscesses, and suppurating sinus tracts that in the most severe form cause significant scarring. Commonly affected body locations include the armpits, below the breasts, the groin, the genitals, perineal and gluteal regions.
The pathogenesis of HS is complex and implicates activation of cells of both the innate and adaptive immune systems and involves several proinflammatory pathways. Broad immune modulation can therefore be a preferred strategy.