Black Pearl Therapeutics SA

Black Pearl Therapeutics (BPTx) is an emerging biotech focused on the discovery and development of novel precision medicines for rare diseases with strong unmet need. Leveraging on our proprietary AI platform Sirius AI we unveil overlooked molecular targets and molecular entities active on those targets that we then further develop and optimize into drug candidates, sensibly reducing the lead optimization time. Combining outputs from Sirius AI with the internal know-how, specifically computational, medicinal chemistry and translational pharmacology excellence, we have identified potential first-in-class therapies to address the core of severe renal (Alport Syndrome) and autoimmune (ANCA Vasculitis) rare diseases. - In Alport Syndrome, we designed a library of compounds active on a specific receptor over-expressed in these patients, aiming at achieving renal protection through preventing the growth of fibrotic tissue. Preliminary PoC data in vivo confirmed our hypothesis and additional PoC experiments on Alport mouse model are currently being conducted with our lead candidate. Concomitantly, IP protection is being generated, with IND filing planned for next year.   - In ANCA vasculitis, acting on the target receptor we identified, it is possible to block the recruitment of neutrophils from bone marrow to periphery and their accumulation in the vessels to prevent from organ damage in the epithelium. We are now testing our small molecule chemokine inhibitors, designed to establish a covalent bond with the target receptor, which would grant improved and durable efficacy at a suitable therapeutic dose. The approach be extended to broader autoimmune or immuno-oncology indications. Founded in Zurich in 2019, BPTx is driven since by the strong entrepreneurial spirit of a group of academic professors and pharma veterans operating in Switzerland, supported by a world class scientific adboard of Immunologists and Nephrologists. For more information: mlama@blackpearlth.com