Moriah1000, a RAGE inhibitor
Ensol Biosciences (hereafter Ensol for short) is developing the ‘Moriah1000 (M1K)’, a candidate drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). M1K, a synthetic peptide, binds the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) that is over-expressed in the AD brains, serves as a receptor for beta-amyloids, and transports beta-amyloids into the brain. Through binding RAGE, M1K can block beta-amyloid from entering the brain and is believed to have learning and memory recovery effects. RAGE may be one of ideal therapeutic targets for AD. However, it is still at preclinical stage, requiring further researches.
Ensol headquartered in Daejeon, South Korea, is a biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative drugs for the diseases lacking therapeutic alternatives, such as AD. Recently, Ensol developed its proprietary drug discovery platform based on big data and AI, named the ‘Knowledge-based In Silico Drug Discovery Platform (KISDD)’ which screens new and optimal drug candidates. The KISDD can also reduce the cost for new drug development and increase the possibility of success in clinical trials.
It is worth reviewing the failure of another RAGE inhibitor, azeliragon (also known as TTP488 or PF-04494700). As is the case in M1K, azeliragon decreased beta-amyloid load in the AD mice brain and improved their behavioral performance in preclinical studies. The phase 3 clinical trial was prematurely halted in December 2020 following a futility analysis that found no benefits.
Meanwhile, Ensol listed on the Korea New Exchange (KONEX) in 2018 is preparing to apply again for the ‘Technology Evaluation’ to transfer the listing of its stock from KONEX to KOSDAQ (Korea Securities Dealers Automated Quotation). Previously, the company had tried to do so twice in December 2020 and February 2021 but in vain.
