Trethera (Formerly Triangle Therapeutics)

Trethera is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm focused on developing treatments for oncology and autoimmune diseases. The company was founded in 2015 as a spinoff from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) by a team of scientists including Caius Radu, Johannes Czernin, Mike Jung, and Owen Witte. These founders have a significant track record in drug discovery, including contributions to the development of approved prostate cancer drugs Xtandi and Erleada. The company's scientific foundation is built on over a decade of research originating at UCLA, starting with discoveries related to the enzyme deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) in 2009.

The company's core strategy revolves around targeting the nucleotide salvage pathway, a metabolic process that becomes hyperactive in rapidly proliferating cells found in cancers and autoimmune disorders. Trethera's lead product candidate, TRE-515, is a first-in-class, orally administered dCK inhibitor. By blocking this key enzyme, TRE-515 aims to halt the synthesis of DNA precursors, thereby inhibiting the replication and proliferation of diseased cells while having less of an effect on healthy cells. This mechanism allows for a broad range of potential applications from a single drug. Trethera is pursuing a business model centered on advancing TRE-515 through clinical trials for multiple indications, thereby creating numerous pathways to commercialization and patient impact. The company generates capital through funding rounds, including a recent Regulation D offering for accredited investors, and has also received over $7 million in non-dilutive grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

TRE-515 is currently in clinical trials for solid tumors and is being developed for a wide array of other conditions, including lupus, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted TRE-515 Fast Track designation for prostate cancer and Orphan Drug status for two autoimmune neurologic diseases. Recent milestones include receiving a $3 million NIH grant to advance TRE-515 for the treatment of lupus and securing clearance to initiate a clinical trial in healthy volunteers to study the drug's effects and biomarkers. The company's intellectual property portfolio for TRE-515 is protected with market exclusivity expected to extend to 2045. Heading the company is Chairman and CEO, Dr. Ken Schultz, who brings experience from previous leadership roles at Halozyme, Medtronic, and McKinsey & Company. Keywords: TRE-515, deoxycytidine kinase inhibitor, dCK inhibitor, nucleotide salvage pathway, oncology, autoimmune diseases, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical, UCLA spinoff, solid tumors, systemic lupus erythematosus, prostate cancer, orphan drug, Ken Schultz, Caius Radu, Johannes Czernin, cancer metabolism, oral therapy, drug development, biotechnology investment, autoimmune therapy