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 junctions. Exposed, non–tight junctional, CLDN1 drives carcinogenic and fibrogenic signaling of different organs.

Alentis’ lead candidates are monoclonal antibodies that are highly selective for exposed CLDN1 playing a key role in the pathogenesis of cancer and fibrosis.

A large majority of solid tumors as well as fibrotic organs show overexpression of CLDN1. The treatment of many cancers remains unsatisfactory and fibrotic disorders account for up to 45% of deaths in developed countries*.

Remodeling and stiffening of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key driver of end-stage organ failure and is also a hallmark of cancer. Despite the urgent medical need, cancer indications characterized by a stiff and nonpermeable ECM as well as fibrotic diseases are an underserved market. By targeting the pathogenic role of CLDN1 in ECM-cell interactions, Alentis’ pioneering approach has the potential to directly modify and reverse the course of disease progression and improve the outcome of patients.