Initial Pipeline
Megalin-STRIKERs targeting solute carriers for treatment of systemic diseases
Judo Bio’s initial drug programs are megalin-STRIKERs: ligand-siRNA conjugates that bind to megalin receptors on proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) in the kidney. Once internalized, these STRIKERs degrade target mRNA which results in a reduction of specific solute carrier (SLC) proteins.
SLC proteins are a large protein family comprised of hundreds of transporters in the kidney, opening many opportunities for Judo Bio to develop megalin-STRIKERs for these targets.
Megalin-STRIKERs for treating systemic diseases via the kidney
Our team has created megalin-STRIKERs that are designed to achieve knockdown of the genes that express SLC proteins in the kidney. Inhibiting the function of SLC proteins in the proximal tubule has been clinically validated for controlling circulating solute levels that are dysregulated in systemic diseases. Targeting SLC proteins enables Judo Bio to direct siRNA medicines specifically to the kidney for the treatment of systemic diseases, potentially including inborn errors of metabolism, gout, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, chronic heart failure, nephrolithiasis, and other endocrine disorders.
More opportunities via megalin and kidney recycling receptors
Data suggests the megalin family of receptors are also expressed on podocytes and cysts in polycystic kidney disease, which may open opportunities to use megalin-STRIKERs to treat a broad range of kidney diseases.
In addition to the megalin receptor family, there are multiple additional kidney recycling receptors that could provide an opportunity to extend Judo Bio’s strategy to additional kidney cell populations and diseases.
