Phal-501

Phal-501 is a heavy metal chelator being developed by PharmaLundensis for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The drug is a small molecule designed to act locally within the gastrointestinal tract, where it binds heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium. By sequestering these metals in the gut and preventing their absorption into the bloodstream, Phal-501 facilitates their excretion from the body. The therapeutic rationale is based on the hypothesis that heavy metal toxicity contributes to the inflammatory and physiological processes underlying these chronic conditions. As of 2024, Phal-501 is in preclinical development.