DeepCure, a therapeutics company leveraging AI to discover innovative drugs for inflammation and immune diseases, today announced that it will present data demonstrating that its selective BRD4 (BD2) inhibitor, DC-9476, is more effective than anti-TNF-α treatment in a collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This presentation will take place at the 11th International Conference on Autoimmunity: Mechanisms and Novel Treatments in Crete, Greece.
Activated macrophages are pivotal in the onset and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), producing proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which contribute to joint damage and associated symptoms.
DeepCure has evaluated its selective BRD4 (BD2) inhibitor, DC-9476, in a series of preclinical studies to assess its potential as a treatment for RA. In vitro assays showed that DC-9476 significantly reduced IL-6 production in activated human macrophage-like cells, demonstrating greater potency than tofacitinib, a marketed Jak-2 inhibitor for RA.
The in vivo efficacy of DC-9476 was tested using two mouse models. In a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation model, DC-9476 decreased serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. In the collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) model, which simulates macrophage-driven RA, DC-9476 achieved over an 80% reduction in clinical disease score, surpassing etanercept—an approved anti-TNF-α antibody, which only reduced the score by 47%. Notably, DC-9476 exhibited no signs of toxicity in either model. When combined with etanercept, DC-9476 led to significantly better outcomes than either treatment alone.
Presentation Details:
- Poster Title: Novel, Selective BRD4 (BD2) Inhibitor DC-9476 Demonstrates a Potent Anti-inflammatory Mechanism
- Date: October 19, 10:25 AM (local time)
- Presenter: Dr. Michal Segal-Salto, Senior Director – Biology, DeepCure
“This is the first time we are presenting in vivo data for DC-9476 in animal models of RA, showcasing its potential as a novel oral monotherapy or combination therapy for patients,” said Kfir Schreiber, CEO & Co-Founder of DeepCure. “Additionally, this selective BRD4 (BD2) inhibitor reduced key inflammatory cytokines, which could serve as biomarkers of target engagement in future clinical trials.”
About DeepCure
DeepCure is a therapeutics company dedicated to developing innovative drugs that could revolutionize the treatment of inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Founded by researchers from MIT, the company employs artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-enhancing technologies to accelerate small molecule discovery. Based in Boston, MA, DeepCure’s team of engineers, chemists, and biologists collaborates to address challenging health issues that can significantly impact patient outcomes.
