The promise of PRA023: taking on inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting TL1A activity

Inflammation and fibrosis are key factors in numerous immune-mediated diseases. Since its discovery in 1999 by Prometheus Biosciences founder Dr. Stephan Targan at Cedars-Sinai, TNF family member TL1A (TNFSF15) has been established as a key immune factor mediating both fibrosis and inflammation throughout the body. By inhibiting TL1A, we believe our therapeutic PRA023 is uniquely positioned to improve outcomes for immune-mediated disease patients.

TL1A has a strong mechanistic rationale in tackling IBD

TL1A was first discovered and characterized in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where it is strongly associated with disease activity and inflammatory/fibrotic processes.

Basal levels of TL1A are low, but are rapidly elevated on immune activation
Through its receptor DR3, TL1A potently drives inflammatory
processes, including Th1 and Th17 responses
TL1A also directly activates fibroblasts, leading to collagen
disposition and fibrosis, in part independently of inflammation

Diagram showing association of TL1A with fibrosis and inflammation.

Fibrosis is a key factor in IBD progression

Crohn’s Disease (CD)

70% of patients develop stricturing/perforating disease
Stricturing disease is the leading indication for surgery in CD
The use of anti-inflammatory agents over the past 20 years has not significantly changed the rate of stricturing disease or the need for surgery
No approved therapies targeting fibrosis and inflammation are available

Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

While observed at lower rates than in CD, subclinical fibrosis could have significant impact on patient quality of life
- Subclinical fibrosis could contribute to symptoms of diarrhea, abdominal pain, urgency, and incontinence
- Potential explanation for persistent symptoms after the inflammation is resolved

Rendering of intestines and other internal organs.

TL1A is linked to multiple immune-mediated and fibrotic diseases beyond IBD

TL1A has long been linked to intestinal inflammation and fibrosis. In the past decade, a large body of literature has emerged
implicating TL1A in a host of other fibrotic conditions affecting nearly every organ system.

Systemic Sclerosis is an immune-mediated disease that causes fibrosis and has significant unmet clinical need

Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an orphan disease characterized by inflammation-driven fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. TL1A has been shown to play an important role in the disease and its progression. More than half of SSc patients develop Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc-ILD), which leads to progressive fibrosis of the lungs and is the leading cause of death in SSc patients.

HCRT scan displaying fibrosis of the lungs.

TL1A is mechanistically implicated in Systemic Sclerosis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease pathogenesis

Ample evidence supports the role of TL1A and its receptor DR3 in driving the Systemic Sclerosis disease process:

Intratracheal administration of TL1A in normal mice promotes lung fibrosis and remodeling through an immune-inflammation independent pathway
Knocking down TL1A’s only cognate receptor, DR3, or blocking TL1A prevents fibrosis in mouse models of fibrosing lung disease
Circulating levels of TL1A are elevated in SSc patients, and patients with higher disease activity have higher TL1A levels
Pulmonary fibroblasts of human SSc patients express a higher level of DR3 mRNA than those of healthy subjects
TL1A can directly drive remodeling-relevant activity in human lung fibroblasts (proliferation and expression of periostin and collagen)

There remains great opportunity for PRA023 in other immune-mediated diseases

We will continue to investigate further opportunities to employ our lead therapeutic candidate PRA023 in additional inflammatory and fibrosis disease areas with remaining unmet need and compelling commercial potential.

See our discovery engine

Meet our Scientific Advisors