LMT-28

**LMT-28** is an experimental small molecule drug developed as the first orally available synthetic antagonist of interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling by targeting the gp130 subunit of the IL-6 receptor complex. By binding directly to gp130, LMT-28 inhibits the binding of the IL-6/IL-6Rα complex, thereby blocking downstream activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and reducing proinflammatory effects. LMT-28 has demonstrated efficacy in animal models of inflammatory diseases, including collagen-induced arthritis, acute pancreatitis, and diabetic peri-implantitis, by reducing cytokine expression, osteoclast activation, and tissue damage. While primarily used as a research tool due to moderate potency and pharmacokinetics, LMT-28 serves as an important proof of concept for small molecule IL-6 pathway inhibitors, a domain previously dominated by biologics[1][3][4][5][7][8].