S1, E5: Arialys and a neuropsychiatry drug revival with CEO Jay Lichter and experts Marty Jefson (Pinteon) and Dr Leon Henderson-MacLennan (InThought)
In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani delves into Arialys and its mission to revive an autoimmune encephalitis drug from the grave after big pharma no longer wanted it. The company founders are a bunch of venture capitalists (Avalon Ventures, MPM Capital & Catalys Pacific) who saw potential in pursuing the preclinical drug candidate — raising a $58 million seed financing in September 2023 to take it into human testing.
Surani speaks to CEO Jay Lichter (Avalon) about his background, success stories, how he stumbled across Astellas’ drug (now ART5803) and why he was so impressed with preclinical data in non-human primate marmoset models. Marty Jefson, CEO of Pinteon Therapeutics, a veteran neuropsychiatry drug development executive, talks about the drug’s potential to fit in the treatment paradigm and what convinced him to join the company’s clinical advisory board. Also joining the podcast to give medical context on the drug’s potential is Dr Leon Henderson MacLennan, medical advisor and co-founder, InThought. The experts discuss the drug’s safety and efficacy considerations, clinical trial hurdles and potential for the drug to expand to other autoimmune psychosis conditions including schizophrenia. Jay talks about clinical trial plans ahead, his preferences when it comes to a future IPO vs M&A and what he thinks will be the key value driver for a company exit.
Timestamps:
01:56 – Jay’s background & history investing in novel technologies
03:30 – Astellas looks to sell CNS assets
04:00 – What exactly is anti-NDMA-receptor encephalitis (ANRE)?
05:15 – Avalon Ventures team up with MPM Capital and Catalys Pacific for asset sale
07:10 – Preclinical trials and impressive data in marmoset models
09:15 – Marty (Pinteon) discusses ANRE burden and ART5803’s clinical potential
12:10 – Leon (InThought) discusses unmet need for targeted approach
13:55 – Marty and Leon talk about first impressions of preclinical data
15:05 – Experts discuss human trial considerations and Jay talks clinical trial plans
19:15 – Safety considerations and historical challenges developing CNS drugs
22:00 – Market opportunity of ANRE and other autoimmune indications like schizophrenia
26:10 – Arialys’ financing plans, long-term visions and potential future exit
For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: [email protected]
Music composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media)
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