SAT-3153 for DMD is Targeted for Further Development
Satellos Bioscience eyes SAT-3153 as a muscle regeneration treatment
Satellos Bioscience has designated SAT-3153 as a potential muscle regeneration treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
The therapeutic candidate now will be tested in pre-investigational new drug (pre-IND) enabling studies intended to provide evidence to obtain regulatory approval for conducting a clinical trial.
“We are thrilled to be in a position to move SAT-3153 as a novel drug development candidate (“DC”) into pre-IND enabling studies in accordance with our previously announced timelines,” Frank Gleeson, president and CEO of Satellos, said in a press release.
DMD is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness. According to previous studies, this occurs when the process through which muscle stem cells divide and create progenitor cells that regenerate muscle is impaired. This results in accumulating muscle damage.
SAT-3153 is a small molecule designed to inhibit a kinase protein that controls the formation of muscle progenitor cells. By enhancing muscle regeneration, the treatment is expected to increase muscle mass and function, according to the company.
“Collectively, we at Satellos believe passionately that a small molecule drug with the potential to regenerate functional muscle will have many advantages and benefits for patients living with Duchenne and other muscular dystrophies. We are thoroughly committed to bringing our new treatment to them as soon as possible,” Gleeson added.
This decision comes on the heels of Satellos’ recent announcement that the company was focused on advancing new treatment candidates in preclinical studies to assess their absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME), pharmacokinetics (PK), and in vivo (in living animals) efficacy. Pharmacokinetics refers to a compound’s movement into, through and out of the body.
“SAT-3153 is one of the numerous compounds generated by Satellos scientists that we evaluated and prioritized pursuant to our press release announcement on November 3rd. Results from these preclinical ADME, PK and in vivo studies have given us confidence to designate and advance SAT-3153 into pre-IND development studies as a [drug development candidate] intended for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and potentially other dystrophic conditions,” said Phil Lambert, PhD, chief technology officer at Satellos.
“With this milestone, we have already begun to schedule and lock-in slots with key IND-enabling service providers towards completing our 2023 objectives,” Lambert added.
In 2021, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy invested $1 million to help Satellos develop a new treatment approach for people with Duchenne MD.
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