– DIAGONAL platform combines unique computational and experimental techniques to identify rare agonist antibodies that reactivate defective signaling pathways, creating a pipeline of novel therapeutics
– Funding will fund the advancement of Diagonal's flagship program for the treatment of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) through multiple add-on programs to clinical proof of concept and value creation milestones.
– Series A funding was co-led by BVF Partners and Atlas Venture, with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners, RA Capital Management, Frazier Life Sciences, Viking Global Investors, Velosity Capital, and Checkpoint Capital. Diagonal was co-founded by Dr. Alex Lugovskoy and Atlas and was previously seeded by Atlas, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Velosity Capital.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 3, 2024 (Globe Newswire) — Diagonal Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering new approaches to the discovery and development of agonistic antibodies, launches today with $128 million in funding. did. The Series A was co-led by BVF Partners and Atlas Venture, with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners, RA Capital Management, Frazier Life Sciences, and Viking Global Investors., Velocity Capital and Checkpoint Capital. Diagonal was co-founded by CEO Dr. Alex Lugovskoy and Atlas, and was previously seeded by Atlas, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Velosity Capital. This funding will support further advancement of the company's proprietary DIAGONAL platform and pipeline of novel therapeutics towards value creation milestones, including: It also includes a lead program for the treatment of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a bleeding disorder. proof of concept. Diagonal's agonist antibodies activate the genetically impaired TGF-β superfamily receptor complex in HHT patients. In preclinical models of HHT, diagonal agonist antibodies prevent and reverse the formation of pathological vascular malformations.
“We are fundamentally changing the way agonist antibody therapies are developed. Thanks to the DIAGONAL platform, we are able to overcome the technical limitations that have previously hindered the discovery of agonist antibodies, making it easier for patients to receive treatment. We have demonstrated that we can efficiently advance new drug candidates for diseases for which there are limited or no options,” said Alex Lugovskoy. “Our approach allows us to detect a wide range of disrupted signaling pathways using agonistic antibodies with excellent potency and selectivity, tunable and durable pharmacology, good developability, and low immunogenicity.” It will be possible to treat the disease.”
“The biopharmaceutical industry has a powerful and growing toolkit of approaches to inhibit disease-associated pathways. There is still a lack of a systematic pharmacological approach to improve clinical outcomes,” said Michael Gladstone, Partner at Atlas Venture and Chairman of the Board of Diagonal. “Diagonal’s platform addresses this unmet need by rapidly identifying antibodies that activate key pathways. We are excited to be able to help.”
DIAGONAL platform and pipeline
Unlike most approved antibodies, which inhibit cellular functions, agonist antibodies activate a signal transduction cascade by binding to two receptors and bringing them together into a highly specific conformation that enables activation. Masu. Given the many potential binding sites between each receptor and antibody, there are nearly infinite binding configurations, only a small subset of which will result in the desired agonist activity. Historically, this has made the identification and rational design of agonist antibodies difficult.
The DIAGONAL platform combines unique computational and experimental techniques to solve this challenge. This allows Diagonal's scientists to sift through billions of combinations with unprecedented speed and high fidelity.
Using this platform, Diagonal has discovered antibody candidates against four complex targets, providing new avenues to treat serious diseases, including:
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Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT): HHT is a rare, monogenic disease that affects more than 150,000 people in the US and EU, but there is currently no approved treatment. In HHT, mutations in the TGF-β receptor superfamily complex result in two types of abnormal blood vessels: telangiectasia and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), which are fragile and susceptible to rupture and bleeding. is. These bleeding events lead to chronic anemia, requiring frequent iron infusions and red blood cell transfusions. If left untreated, AVMs can cause bleeding in the lungs or brain, stroke, heart failure, and death. Diagonal's agonist antibody candidates reactivate dormant signaling and address the root causes of disease.
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Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): PAH is a rare disease that causes high blood pressure that affects the lungs and arteries on the right side of the heart. In patients with PAH, the vasculature narrows due to an imbalance between antiproliferative and hyperproliferative pathways. Diagonal's agonist antibodies modify signal transduction and restore homeostasis in blood vessel walls.
About Diagonal Therapeutics
Diagonal Therapeutics is a biotechnology company pioneering new approaches to the discovery and development of agonistic antibodies. The company's DIAGONAL platform combines unique computational and experimental techniques to overcome historical challenges associated with agonist antibody drug discovery. Diagonal's new pipeline discovered using the DIAGONAL platform has the potential to address the root causes of disease and provide life-changing treatments to patients. For more information, please visit www.diagonaltx.com.
Media contact:
corey trombly
media@diagonaltx.com
