caspase-2 inhibitor (Elgia Therapeutics)

Elgia Therapeutics is developing a small molecule inhibitor of caspase-2 aimed at treating chronic inflammatory and metabolic diseases, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and lung cancer. The program is based on research by company founders, including Michael Karin, which identified caspase-2 as a critical mediator of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-driven lipogenesis and steatohepatitis. Mechanistically, caspase-2 activation leads to the processing of Site-1 protease (S1P), which in turn activates sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) to promote lipid synthesis and inflammation. By inhibiting caspase-2, Elgia Therapeutics seeks to modulate these caspase-driven pathways to address metabolic inflammation and potentially influence tumor biology in cancers such as lung cancer. The program is currently in the preclinical stage of development.

Other names

caspase-2 inhibitorcaspase2 inhibitorcaspase 2 inhibitor