Lys Therapeutics

Lys Therapeutics is a pioneering biotechnology company revolutionizing the treatment of patients with neurodegenerative or neurovascular diseases by targeting blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunctions and neuroinflammation. In the pathophysiology of various neurological diseases such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease, the hyperactivation of endothelial NMDA receptors (NMDAr) by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) overexpressed in these patients leads to the degradation of tight junctions and BBB dysfunction, allowing the transmigration of inflammatory cells and toxic molecules into the brain parenchyma, triggering excitotoxicity and neuroinflammation, major contributors to neurodegeneration. Lys Therapeutics' lead drug candidate, LYS241, is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody with a unique mechanism of action that effectively counteracts these pathological mechanisms. Specifically, LYS241 acts in blood vessels to prevent the binding of tPA to NMDAr without interfering with the physiological function of NMDAr. By inhibiting this interaction, NMDAr can function normally, and the activation of deleterious downstream cellular pathways is stopped. Tight junctions are restored, endothelial cells return to their healthy state, and BBB function is restored, protecting the brain from neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative cascades. Lys Therapeutics' approach to targeting neuroinflammation to combat neurodegeneration represents a promising pathway in the quest for effective treatments for these debilitating disorders.