Cyclarity Therapeutics is focused on developing treatments for age-related diseases, particularly atherosclerosis, which is characterized by the buildup of plaques in the arteries.
“Cyclarity aims to deliver simple and affordable therapies for cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases of aging.”
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The Solution
Cyclarity Therapeutics is advancing a novel therapeutic approach to address atherosclerosis by targeting the accumulation of toxic oxidized cholesterol derivatives, particularly 7-ketocholesterol (7KC), which are implicated in the formation of arterial plaques.
Their lead compound, UDP-003, is a specially engineered cyclodextrin designed to selectively bind to and remove 7KC from cells and tissues.
Mechanism of Action of UDP-003
UDP-003 functions by encapsulating 7KC, thereby preventing its harmful interactions within cells. This sequestration facilitates the removal of 7KC from macrophages, which are immune cells that, upon ingesting oxidized cholesterol, can transform into foam cells contributing to plaque formation. By extracting 7KC, UDP-003 aims to restore the normal function of these macrophages, reducing inflammation and promoting the regression of existing plaques.
Preclinical Findings of UDP-003
In preclinical studies, UDP-003 has demonstrated the ability to both prevent and reverse foam cell formation in vitro. Treated macrophages showed reduced lipid accumulation, decreased oxidative stress, and improved phagocytic function. Additionally, ex vivo experiments indicated that UDP-003 could effectively extract 7KC from human atherosclerotic plaque tissues, suggesting potential for plaque reduction in vivo.
Clinical Development of UDP-003
Building on these promising preclinical results, Cyclarity Therapeutics has received regulatory approval to initiate its first-in-human clinical trial of UDP-003. The trial will assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of the compound in both healthy participants and patients with acute coronary syndrome. This marks a significant step toward establishing UDP-003 as a disease-modifying therapy for atherosclerosis.
The Company
Cyclarity Therapeutics was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Novato, California, USA. The company was co-founded by Michael Kope, serving as Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Affairs, and Matthew O’Connor serving as Chief Executive Officer of Scientific Affairs.
In terms of funding Cyclarity Therapeutics has successfully raised approximately $21.7 million across multiple funding rounds:
- The initial seed round in November 2019 secured $4 million.
- This was followed by a second seed round in September 2021 that raised an additional $10 million, led by Kizoo Technology Capital.
- In December 2024, the company closed the first tranche of its Series A funding round, obtaining $6.4 million, with contributions from investors including Ki Tua Fund LP and Starbloom Primrose LP.
- The second tranche of this Series A round aims to raise between $2.6 million and $5.6 million to further support clinical trials.
Cyclarity Therapeutics has established strategic partnerships to advance its research and development efforts. Notably, the company has collaborated with MD.USE Innovative Solutions, a startup from Santiago de Compostela University in Spain, specializing in computational chemistry. This partnership has led to the development of “Candymer,” a software system designed to build and parameterize sophisticated molecular dynamics simulations of cyclodextrin-sterol complexes, which is instrumental in optimizing lead candidates and designing potential new therapies.
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