Corridor Pharmaceuticals

Corridor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., founded in 2007 by Gary Lessing and David Christianson, was a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for pulmonary and vascular disorders. The company, formerly known as Argentix, specialized in the creation of small molecule inhibitors targeting arginase, an enzyme involved in conditions like cancer and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The company's primary strategy revolved around the therapeutic potential of arginase inhibitors to counteract endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and fibrosis. One of its product candidates, C-201, was a small molecule arginase inhibitor designed to increase nitric oxide production in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells. The company also had ties to the University of Pennsylvania, from which it licensed intellectual property. Corridor Pharmaceuticals was backed by investors including Osage University Partners, MedImmune Ventures, and Quaker Bio Ventures.

In a significant milestone, Corridor Pharmaceuticals was acquired by AstraZeneca in June 2014 and now operates as a subsidiary of the global pharmaceutical giant. Prior to the acquisition, the company had secured funding through at least one SBIR Phase I award from the NIH for $365,333 in 2010.

Keywords: arginase inhibitors, small molecule therapeutics, pulmonary disorders, vascular diseases, cancer treatment, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, endothelial dysfunction, biopharmaceutical, AstraZeneca subsidiary, C-201, nitric oxide synthase