-Laekna has developed a proprietary antibody-based drug discovery platform of activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSC) depletion for liver fibrosis.

-Derived from the platform, LAE105 is a potentially first-in-class drug candidate that depletes aHSC in the fibrotic liver by harnessing innate immunity.

-The platform enables Laekna to continually discover better therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of NASH/liver fibrosis

Jan 4, 2024 — Laekna (2105.HK), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, today announced that the company will present a novel therapeutical approach to treat liver fibrosis in the form of a poster at the NASH-TAG conference from January 4-6, 2024, in Park City, Utah. The presentation will showcase a novel antibody-based aHSC depletion discovery platform and introduce preclinical anti-fibrosis data of a bi-functional NK-aHSC engager candidates derived from this platform.

"Derived from this unique platform, LAE105 is a potentially first-in-class drug candidate that targets aHSC surface antigen and recruits immune cells to elicit aHSC clearance. It has demonstrated significant anti-fibrosis activity in preclinical model. " said Dr. Minhua Zhang, Senior Director of Discovery Research of Biology, Laekna.

Liver fibrosis is one of the main underlying catalysts of liver cancer or liver failure, with the accumulation of aHSC being the main contributors for liver fibrogenesis. Current drug development for NASH and liver fibrosis mainly focuses on lowering lipid accumulation in the liver or reducing liver fibrosis by blocking certain activating signaling proteins of hepatic stellate cells. Laekna has taken a different approach to clear aHSC from the liver by re-engaging innate immunity and established a global-leading and proprietary aHSC depletion discovery platform for liver fibrosis. This platform enables Laekna to continually discover and develop the next generation therapeutics against liver fibrosis and potentially other types of fibrotic diseases.

"We are delighted that Laekna’s preclinical discovery research team has made new progress," said Dr. Justin Gu, Chief Scientific Officer of Laekna. "Liver fibrosis, metabolic diseases, and cancer are the three major indications that Laekna aims to tackle. Currently, no drugs have been approved for liver fibrosis globally. We are working relentlessly to accelerate drug innovation for liver fibrosis by leveraging our know-how, novel discovery approach, and proprietary platform." 

The NASH-TAG Conference is designed to bring together clinicians and researchers in academia and the pharmaceutical industry for a focused, interactive, educational update highlighting the most relevant advances and challenges in the diagnosis and therapy of NASH and liver fibrosis. 

Presentation details are as follows:

Abstract Number: 32
Title: Preclinical characterization of bi-functional NK-aHSC engager for liver fibrosis
Authors: Minhua Zhang, Chaojun Cai, Jinying Zhou, Justin Gu, Chris X. Lu
Presenter: Dr. Chris Lu, Laekna
Location:    Renoir Ballroom, The Chateaux Deer Valley
Date/Time: Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 (MST)
Abstract Highlights: 
In vitro, a panel of antibodies and bi-functional engagers targeting various aHSC targets have demonstrated potent and dose-dependent aHSC killing activity in the presence of human NK cells. Additionally, the antibodies also promoted phagocytosis of aHSC cells by human macrophage. In vivo, antibodies with enhanced effector function showed significant anti-fibrotic effects in two different liver fibrosis animal models.

About Laekna
Founded in 2016, Laekna is a science-driven, clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to bringing novel therapies to cancer and liver fibrosis patients worldwide.
As of June 30, 2023, Laekna has initiated six clinical trials for afuresertib (LAE002), LAE001 and LAE005 to address unmet medical needs in cancers, such as ovarian cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. Among the six clinical trials, three are multi-regional clinical trials (MRCTs), including one pivotal trial. 
Laekna’s internal drug discovery platform has discovered 12 drug candidates. LAE102 is our first internally discovered antibody which has obtained an IND approval from the FDA. Its potential indications include muscle regeneration, obesity, and cancer.
Laekna, Inc. was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”) on June 29, 2023. The stock code is 2105.HK.
For more information, please visit: https://www.laekna.com/
or https://www.linkedin.com/company/74110713/

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