CHR-1201

CHR-1201 is a novel, topical small molecule histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor developed by Chroma Therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders, specifically plaque psoriasis. The compound utilizes Chroma's proprietary Esterase Sensitive Motif (ESM) technology, which attaches a chemical "tag" to the molecule. This motif allows the drug to be actively transported into and accumulated within target inflammatory cells, such as monocytes and macrophages. Once inside the cell, the motif is cleaved by internal esterases to release the active HDAC inhibitor. Crucially, any drug that escapes into the systemic circulation is rapidly broken down by blood esterases into an inactive metabolite, thereby localizing the therapeutic effect to the skin and reducing the risk of systemic side effects typically associated with HDAC inhibition. CHR-1201 reached Phase 1 clinical trials but development appears to have been discontinued.