Alentis Therapeutics AG

Alentis Therapeutics is developing breakthrough treatments for fibrotic disease and associated cancers. We are putting the brakes on fibrosis and aim to change the course of a disease associated with 45% of deaths in the developed world.

Our unique approach is to develop highly selective monoclonal antibodies against Claudin-1, a novel previously unexploited target. Claudin-1 plays a key role in the development of liver fibrosis and fibrosis-driven cancers. Unlike current therapies, which mostly act on fibrosis in an indirect way, Alentis' pioneering strategy has the potential to directly modify and reverse fibrosis.

The secret of Alentis' lead molecule ALE.F02 is that it selectively recognizes pathologically overexpressed and conformation-dependent Claudin-1 epitopes in fibrotic disease. In preclinical studies, ALE.F02 modulates the function of non-junctional Claudin-1, thereby preventing, and possibly reversing the growth of fibrotic tissue by modifying the plasticity of critical cell types mediating fibrosis.

Alentis will initiate clinical trials with ALE.F02 in 2021. In our early programs we are exploring the role of Claudin-1 inhibition in the treatment of kidney and lung fibrosis as well as certain rare diseases and cancers. These indications represent very large and expanding markets and address high unmet medical need. The company also employs a patient-derived drug and target discovery platform to develop medicines for advanced fibrosis.

Alentis is led by a highly entrepreneurial and experienced management team that is focused on bringing life-saving treatments to patients with fibrotic conditions.

Alentis was founded in 2019, based on the pioneering work of Prof. Thomas Baumert, Strasbourg University, France, a world-class leader in liver disease and cancer. The company is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland with affiliated R&D operations in Strasbourg, France.