Cypralis BBB-penetrant cyclophilin inhibitor

This unnamed preclinical program by Cypralis focuses on the development of small molecule cyclophilin inhibitors specifically designed to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Unlike traditional cyclophilin inhibitors like cyclosporin, these compounds are engineered for central nervous system (CNS) penetration and selectivity for cyclophilin D (CypD), a mitochondrial enzyme (Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase F) involved in the formation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) and programmed cell death. Cypralis utilizes its expertise in natural product-derived chemistry—including cyclosporins, peptolides, and sanglifehrins—to create these CNS-penetrant molecules. The program, supported by collaborations with Janssen Pharmaceuticals and the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, targets neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, by protecting neurons from mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.

Other names

BBB-penetrant cyclophilin inhibitorCNS-penetrant cyclophilin D inhibitor