PRESS RELEASE
Photys Therapeutics Enters into Exclusive License Agreement with Polymed for Phase 1-Ready IRAK4 Degrader, Furthering its Proximity-based Pipeline and Mission
February 20, 2025
Under the terms of the agreement, Polymed has granted Photys an exclusive global (ex-greater China and Southeast Asia) license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize HPB-143, which will be renamed to PHT-776. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Polymed previously submitted and received clearance from the FDA for the Investigational New Drug application (IND) for PHT-776.
“We see tremendous promise in IRAK4 degradation for a broad number of autoimmune indications, including atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa,”. “We intend to initiate phase 1 studies later this year.”
ALEXANDRA JOSEPH, CSO OF PHOTYS
ABOUT IRAK4
IRAK4 plays a critical role in IL-1 receptor and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling which are responsible for regulating immune responses against pathogens. Inhibiting or degrading IRAK4 has been postulated to broadly suppress aberrant inflammation that drives a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Degradation, in particular, has emerged as a uniquely effective mechanism to inhibit inflammatory responses transduced by IRAK4. Degradation blocks both the kinase and scaffolding functions of IRAK4 which are responsible for activating proinflammatory cytokines driven by IRF5/7 and NFkB, including type 1 interferons, IL-6, IL-1, TNF-a, interferon gamma.
Polymed Biopharmaceuticals is dedicated to developing optimized PROTACs and Degrader Antibody Conjugates (DACs) engineered to deliver an improved therapeutic index compared with first-generation protein degraders. By combining advanced discovery technologies with deep expertise in targeted protein degradation and conjugate design, Polymed is building a pipeline of innovative therapies for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases worldwide. Headquartered in Hangzhou, China, with operations in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Polymed is a member of the Johnson & Johnson JLABS innovation network.
For more information, please visit www.polymedbiopharma.com/en.
WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Photys Therapeutics, Inc., a proximity-based therapeutics company, today announced an exclusive in-license with Hangzhou Polymed Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., (“Polymed”), a novel drug discovery and development company based in Hangzhou, China and Cambridge, MA, for HPB-143 a phase 1-ready and potentially best-in-class IRAK4 degrader.
ABOUT PHOTYS THERAPEUTICS
Photys Therapeutics, Inc. is a proximity-based therapeutics company with expertise across multiple approaches to targeted protein modulation. Through its proprietary PHICS™ and tPRIME™ platforms, together with expertise in PROTACs, Photys is building a pipeline of differentiated therapies for autoimmune, inflammatory, oncology, and cardiometabolic diseases. Photys is based in Waltham, Massachusetts.
For more information, please visit www.photys.com.
ABOUT POLYMED BIOPHARMACEUTICALS
“We are pleased to partner with Photys to accelerate global development of HPB-143/PHT-776. This partnership strengthens Polymed as it aims to become a leading company for tackling undruggable targets in oncology and autoimmune diseases.”
JASON XIANG, CEO OF POLYMED
“We are excited to partner with Polymed as we expand and accelerate Photys’ pipeline and its mission to be a leader in proximity-based therapeutics. Polymed’s expertise in drug development and medicinal chemistry has yielded a potentially best-in-class IRAK4 degrader, with superior degradation and bioavailability compared to the clinical-stage IRAK4 PROTAC. This program complements Photys’ ongoing efforts to advance proximity-based therapeutics into the clinic.”