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.