Sisu-Neurodegeneration-Program

Sisu Pharmaceuticals is developing a preclinical-stage small molecule program focused on the activation of Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1) for the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions. HSF1 is a transcription factor that serves as the master regulator of the proteostasis network, inducing the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) that act as molecular chaperones. In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the accumulation of misfolded proteins overwhelms the cell's protein quality control systems. By pharmacologically upregulating HSF1 activity, Sisu aims to enhance the cell's natural ability to refold or degrade toxic protein aggregates, thereby providing neuroprotection and potentially slowing disease progression.

Other names

HSF1 activator (Sisu Pharmaceuticals)