I've come across an interesting company called CohBar (derived from the founders' last names; ticker: CWBR) whose platform involves mitochondrial peptides.
CohBar Pipeline
One of their target indications is NASH/NAFLD and obesity. The MOA appears to be via modulation of insulin sensitivity, which is different from most others players. GLP-1 drugs are being tried in this area, and liraglutide showed fairly well, though not as well as the current frontrunners in the space. CohBar has shown synergy with those in animal models per this poster:
CB4209 and CB4211 Reduce the NAFLD Activity Score in the STAM Model of NASH, Reduce Triglyceride Levels, and Induce Selective Fat Mass Loss in DIO Mice
Presumably they chose to advance 4211 because of its slightly stronger synergistic effect. Note that weight reduction was not seen in healthy controls, or in the STAM (NASH model) mice, just the DIO (obesity model) mice. NAS scores weren't stupendously good, but I'm not sure how 3 weeks of treatment in STAM mice compares to human data at that stage. I also note that the dosing regimen withs with the most efficacy are those with tougher human compliance.
They are well behind in the clinic. They are running a P1 initially in healthy volunteers, with a final cohort of patients to be treated and followed for 4 weeks (note the treatment cohort of mice got 3 weeks, but I din't see any safety data from the study). I can't find an entry for this trial at clinical trials.gov, and I've pinged the company's IR guy about that. Anyhow, they see the NASH treatment paradigm as being one of combinations, and think CB4211 is well suited for that. Aside from Novo, Novartis is also a potentially interested player, as they have publicly aired the view that combos are the wave of future NASH treatment. They are starting with tropifexor (FXR agonist) and cenicriviroc (CCR2/CCR5 inhibitor), but made clear they will explore other combos.
Insulin sensitization has been tried in NASH with metformin, and while liver function improved some, histological response didn't. So apparently CB4211 has something that metformin doesn't.
The company has guided to an early '19 readout with no updates until then. They have cash into 2020. I would expect a raise in a year, regardless of the outcome of this somewhat binary P1. Unless they partner on good results. I don't think management has discussed that idea, though, being a little premature at this stage. They trade at about 7x cash, so a failure to see any signal in the treated cohort or a bad safety outcome, would likely cut the stock - currently $4.35 - to under $2.
They have two patent apps that I can find, and since they look similar, here's the most recent one:
MITOCHONDRIAL-DERIVED PEPTIDE MOTS3 REGULATES METABOLISM AND CELL SURVIVAL
Management is a mix of tech but non-healthcare types, and healthcare types. This gives me a little pause, but their SAB, BOD, and consultants look pretty solid.
I have no position, but am watching, and may take a small flyer should we ever get a friggin' correction before the readout. Curious as to what you, MZ, Rick, etc. might think.
Cheers, Tuck |
