At a glance
Novel small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory diseases without induction of immune suppression.
Based on the pioneering science of Professor Sam Butterworth at the University of Manchester, who is world-renowned for inventing AstraZeneca’s best-selling drug osimertinib/Tagrisso, which is used globally to treat lung cancer.
Developing treatment for the +10 million people globally suffering from inflammatory diseases
Together with Paul Caton at Kings College London, my group at University of Manchester discovered the initial novel molecules targeting the inflammatory activity of eNAMPT. We formed Apini to rapidly advance pharma-quality compounds for IBD and other inflammatory diseases.
Professor Sam Butterworth Scientific Founder
PROGRAMME DETAILS
SSTX—001
Targeting eNAMPT with a selective small molecule approach designed to unlock a new treatment pathway for chronic inflammatory diseases without broad immune suppression.
Executive summary
- Target: eNAMPT
- Indication: Inflammatory diseases
- Stage: Hit to lead
- Founding scientist: Professor Sam Butterworth, University of Manchester
Programme overview
There remains unmet need in chronic inflammatory diseases. Our mission is to maximise the potential of targeting extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (eNAMPT) as a novel treatment for chronic inflammation.
Apini stems from work of Professor Sam Butterworth, University of Manchester, in collaboration with Professor Paul Caton, King’s College London, and exploits proprietary small molecules that modulate eNAMPT.
Target potential
Inhibiting eNAMPT has potential to treat inflammatory diseases without induction of immune suppression. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the potential for selective eNAMPT inhibitors to be applied across multiple chronic inflammatory diseases.
Meet the founding team
Professor Sam Butterworth
Sam has 20 years’ experience in drug discovery and medicinal chemistry projects, including leading compound design and IP strategy, predominantly focusing on oncology, inflammatory and metabolic diseases.
Clare Murray
Clare is an independent drug discovery consultant with 30+ years experience of drug discovery and early development in biotech and multinational pharmaceutical companies. Has led lead optimisation programs delivering high-quality candidate drugs, managed multidisciplinary in vitro and in vivo teams, and supported translational strategies, clinical biomarker planning, and regulatory submissions.
Rob Riley
A pharmacologist by training, Rob has more than 30 years experience in bio-pharmaceutical research & development in the major therapeutic areas. With a keen eye for compound properties and quality, Rob has overseen delivery of many meaningful medicines, including Kengreal and Brilinta, as Head of DMPK and Chemistry.