Ashvattha Therapeutics
Ashvattha Therapeutics develops clinical-stage nanomedicine therapeutics that traverse tissue barriers to target activated cells in regions of inflammation, focusing on ophthalmology, neurology, and inflammatory diseases.
Overview of Ashvattha Therapeutics
Ashvattha Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech company that focuses on developing a new class of nanomedicine therapeutics designed to traverse tissue barriers and selectively target activated cells in regions of inflammation. These precision nanomedicines, enabled by hydroxyl dendrimer (HD) technology, aim to address unmet medical needs in ophthalmology, neurology, and inflammatory diseases. Headquartered in Redwood City, CA, with research labs in Baltimore, MD, Ashvattha Therapeutics is at the forefront of advanced nanomedicine research and development.
Products and Clinical Trials
Ashvattha Therapeutics has developed several key products currently in various stages of clinical development. D-4517.2, a potent anti-angiogenic nanomedicine, is in Phase 2 clinical trials for treating wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). OP-801, a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging agent, is being evaluated in Phase 1/2 trials for its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and target neuroinflammation in conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. OP-101 has completed two Phase 1 trials and a Phase 2a study showing reduced inflammation in patients with severe COVID-19.
Technology and Innovations
Ashvattha Therapeutics utilizes hydroxyl dendrimer (HD) technology to develop precision nanomedicines that selectively target inflamed tissues. This technology ensures that the nanomedicines are taken up only by activated inflammatory cells, offering systemic delivery options such as oral or injectable forms. The ability to cross significant tissue barriers like the blood-brain barrier and blood-retinal barrier, combined with a lack of off-target toxicity, makes these nanomedicines highly effective. Innovations also include the development of home-administered treatments, such as subcutaneous delivery for D-4517.2.
Ongoing Research and Development
Ashvattha Therapeutics is actively involved in groundbreaking research to refine and expand the applications of their nanomedicines. The company is developing biomarkers to quantitatively study the penetration of the blood-brain barrier and measure responses to their treatments. Their efforts include an expanded Phase 1/2 study enrolling patients to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of their imaging agent 18F-OP-801 in various neurological disorders. These initiatives aim to enhance the understanding of neuroinflammation and improve therapeutic strategies across multiple diseases.
Targeted Treatment Areas
The therapeutic focus of Ashvattha Therapeutics spans key areas such as ophthalmology, neurology, and inflammatory diseases. The precision nanomedicines, characterized by their selective uptake by activated cells in inflamed tissues, are at the core of treatments for conditions like wet AMD, diabetic macular edema, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. Their targeted approach holds the potential to modulate the activity of cells that direct inflammation, offering new possibilities in managing—and potentially reversing—the impacts of these chronic conditions.