4AZA Bioscience

4AZA Bioscience was a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Belgium that specialized in the development of small molecule immunosuppressants for autoimmune diseases and organ transplantation. A spin-off from the Rega Institute for Medical Research at KU Leuven, the company leveraged proprietary nucleoside chemistry to develop its lead candidate, 4AZA-1478. This compound, a dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor, was designed to provide potent immunosuppression with a more favorable safety profile than traditional calcineurin inhibitors. The company's pipeline primarily targeted indications such as psoriasis and the prevention of transplant rejection. In 2013, 4AZA Bioscience was acquired by Amakem NV to complement its portfolio of localized kinase inhibitors.