Anders Bach

Developing non-covalent Keap1-Nrf2 inhibitors as drug candidates for chronic kidney disease

Applicant

Anders Bach.

Project drescription

Compounds that inhibit the Keap1-Nrf2 interaction lead to expression of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory enzymes. Thus, Keap1 is a promising drug target for diseases involving oxidative stress and inflammation. We have made several series of novel Keap1 inhibitors with high affinity, selectivity, cell activity, and drug-like properties. We now wish to develop a drug candidate for chronic kidney disease (CKD), where oxidative stress and inflammation lead to fibrosis and hence a gradual loss of kidney function. The SPARK Denmark program supports our activities in compound selection, characterization, and obtaining proof-of-principle results in CKD animal models and thereby lays the foundation for commercial opportunities.

Institution

University of Copenhagen.