First-in-class monoclonal antibodies against Claudin-1 (CLDN1), a novel target that plays a key role in reprogramming the tumor and tissue microenvironment​

Alentis Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing breakthrough treatments for cancer and fibrotic diseases.

Claudin-1 (CLDN1) is a member of the tight junction proteins family. During disease pathogenesis, CLDN1 expression is up-regulated and exposed outside of the tight junction. Exposed, non–tight junctional, CLDN1 drives carcinogenic and fibrogenic signaling in different organs.

Alentis’ lead candidates are monoclonal antibodies that are highly selective for exposed and non-junctional CLDN1.

Remodeling and stiffening of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key driver of end-stage organ failure, with downstream fibrotic disorders accounting for up to 45% of deaths in developed countries*. ECM remodeling is also a hallmark of cancer. Despite the urgent medical need, cancer indications characterized by a stiff and nonpermeable ECM and fibrotic diseases are an underserved market and Alentis’ pioneering approach has the potential to directly modify and reverse the course of disease progression.

Team

Led by a highly experienced and entrepreneurial leadership team and a world-class founder with expertise in fibrosis, rare diseases, and cancer, Alentis is driven to bring life-saving treatments to patients with cancers with a stiff, nonpermeable ECM and immune-evasive tumor microenvironment and fibrosis-associated diseases.

Alentis is headquartered in Basel’s pharma-biotech hub in Switzerland with a subsidiary for R&D in Strasbourg, France.

* Wynn TA. Fibrotic disease and the T(H)1/T(H)2 paradigm. Nat Rev Immunol. 2004 Aug