Pipeline Overview

Molecure, a clinical stage biotechnology company, discovers and develops breakthrough small molecule drugs that modulate unexplored protein targets and novel RNA to treat cancer, fibrotic and inflammatory diseases.

Our exceptional in-house medicinal chemistry and biology capabilities, along with novel target insights gained from leading academic centers, have allowed us to create a broad pipeline of drug candidates targeting unique and unexplored protein targets. Our lead assets, OATD-01 and OATD-02, are in clinical development for the treatment of sarcoidosis and solid tumors respectively.

In addition, we are developing a unique RNA platform, to discover small molecule compounds that interact directly with the mRNA of disease-related proteins, with significant potential across multiple disease areas.

CLINICAL CANDIDATE
SELECTION
Molecular
Target
Indications
Target Validation
Hit-To-Lead
Lead
Optimization
In Vivo Poc
Preclinical
Development
Regulatory Process
Phase I
Phase II
OATD-01
CHIT1
(Incl. 2ND GENERATION CHIT1 **)
Sarcoidosis, MASH, IPF, other ILDs
OATD-01 *CSR
OATD-02 ARG1/ARG2
ImmunoOncology
OATD-02 *CSR
USP7
ImmunoOncology
USP21
Cancer metabolism
Program suspended
YKL-40
ImmunoOncology
License Agreement with
Molecular
Target
Indications
Hit identification
Hit-to-lead
Lead
Optimization
Preclinical
Development
mRNA TARGETS
Undisclosed mRNA
Oncology, other
Current Status
2025 / 2026 estimate
*Clinical Study Report

Targeting unexplored proteins

Molecule is discovering and developing first-in-class small molecules in oncology, inflammation and fibrosis that target/interact with selected, unexplored proteins.

We have generated a diverse pipeline consisting of five distinct programs, validating the strength of our discovery and translational capabilities, including:

  • 2 programs in clinical development – currently one is in Phase II trial (OATD-01) and one is in a Phase I trial (OATD-02) 
  • 3 programs in preclinical development (discovery phase).

Chitinase Inhibitors

Molecure has developed a unique series of chitinase inhibitors that modulate macrophage function, reducing the severity of inflammation and thus offering a novel therapeutic approach in inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Elevated levels of one of the chitinases, chitotriosidase (CHIT1), are associated with inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, leading to excessive macrophage activation.

OATD-01

OATD-01, the lead drug candidate developed by Molecure, is a first-in-class dual chitinase inhibitor for the treatment of fibrotic and inflammatory diseases, including interstitial lung diseases such as sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

OATD-01 is a CHIT1 inhibitor and has demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in preclinical studies in various disease models, including sarcoidosis, MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) and pulmonary fibrosis.

The phase I study was completed in 2022 and the phase II study in sarcoidosis patients started in March 2024.

OATD-01 is an innovative, effective and safe non-steroidal new chemical entity (NCE) dual inhibitor of AMCase and CHIT1 with a mechanism of action that targets inflammation and fibrosis simultaneously.

Numerous clinical studies and Molecure’s own translational data have shown that CHIT1 is upregulated in many inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, where its activity correlates with disease stage, progression and clinical prognosis. CHIT1 is most highly expressed in pathologically activated macrophages located in lesional areas.

Molecure studies showed that CHIT1 activity was significantly elevated in the serum of sarcoidosis patients and that CHIT1 expression was restricted to granulomas and localised in macrophages. Ex vivo OATD-01 inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in lung macrophages.

In acute models of granulomatous inflammation in mice, OATD-01 showed anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, in a chronic model, inhibition of CHIT1 by OATD-01 led to a reduction in the number of organised granulomas in the lung and a decrease in sarcoidosis-related gene expression.

In 2020, Molecure’s chitinase inhibitor, OATD-01, was successfully licensed by Galapagos NV for global product development and commercialisation. Following a portfolio review by Galapagos in 2022, Molecure regained full rights to OATD-01 along with all associated IP and know-how. Molecure continues to develop OATD-01.

Our second generation CHIT1 inhibitor program

CHIT1 is also involved in the pathology of various diseases with inflammatory and fibrotic components, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and potentially a broad spectrum of neurological diseases that are characterized by excessive activation of inflammatory cells in the brain (neuroinflammation).

Molecure is developing other selective CHIT1 inhibitors, structurally different from OATD-01, which have been selected for proof-of-concept validation in models of these diseases.

Arginase Inhibitors

Arginase 1 (ARG1) and Arginase 2 (ARG2) are validated targets that have been found on a variety of tumor types where their increased activity correlates with more advanced disease and worse clinical prognosis due to diminished arginine levels.

Our second proprietary candidate, OATD-02 is the first and only dual acting, highly potent arginase inhibitor in cancer development, involved in both tumor immunity and metabolism. It has been selected as a clinical candidate for the potential treatment of a broad range of tumors in combination with other anti-cancer therapeutics.

OATD-02 is currently in Phase I clinical trials. Molecure dosed the first patient in 1Q 2023 in a Phase I clinical trial to assess safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of OATD-02 in patients with advanced and/or metastatic solid tumors.

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Unique RNA platform

Molecure is developing a unique RNA platform to discover small molecule compounds that interact directly with the mRNA of disease-related proteins. By modulating mRNA biological function and affecting its translation we would be able to discover medicines with a novel mechanism of action. This approach offers access to potentially thousands of new therapeutic targets, which were previously considered ‘undruggable’ to traditional small molecules that interact with proteins.

Molecure is one of the few biotech companies in the world developing small-molecule drugs that directly interact with mRNA.

In December 2023, a Proof-of-Concept (PoC) was achieved, i.e., in an in vitro cell test, the inhibition of protein translation by compounds targeting the mRNA encoding this protein was confirmed. Six months later, in June 2024, the ability of another molecule, developed within the mRNA platform, to effectively bind to the intended mRNA fragment and block the translation process of the pathogenic protein was confirmed.

From the estimated ∼20 000 proteins that comprise the human proteome, only 15% are considered “druggable”. This is because just a fraction of proteins that are potential drug targets i.e. are linked to a disease, have the ability to bind small molecules. As a result, the human transcriptome (RNA molecules) is underexploited as a new source of therapeutic targets and for long considered ‘undruggable’ via conventional approaches.

In addition, the platform benefits from the knowledge and experience of experts in the field of RNA research working at renowned academic centers. Our collaborators include:

  • Joanna Sztuba-Solińska, PhD (expert in the field of using experimental methods to determine the 2D structure of RNA molecules),
  • dr Michael T. Wolfinger (professor of bioinformatics at the University of Freiburg, expert in the field of development and utilization of bioinformatics methods for RNA secondary structure prediction, and identification of evolutionarily conserved RNA regions),
  • Chase Weidmann, PhD (assistant professor at the University of Michigan, expert in the field of long-range RNA interactions and RNA-protein interaction investigation).

The RNA platform gives Molecure the opportunity to use unique methods to discover small-molecule drugs targeting mRNA.

Molecure’s workflow consists of:

  • Using algorithms to identify stable and functional fragments of mRNA encoded by genes that are clinically significant, while the proteins they encode are not druggable. The predicted structures of these fragments are then confirmed at single-nucleotide resolution using sequencing and chemical sampling.
  • Using a combination of bioinformatics and experimental methods, allowing rapid and accurate identification of small molecule binding sites.
  • Using a combination of many modern methods to discover new molecules with therapeutic potential that interact directly with mRNA. In the RNA platform, we have successfully applied methods for modeling the structures of biological molecules and their complexes, traditional medicinal chemistry technologies, distinct procedures for screening and optimizing the structures of hits and leading compounds, as well as a wide range of approaches to evaluate the activity of compounds in vitro and in vivo

Molecure’s intention is to provide the biopharmaceutical industry with a platform for identifying starting compounds, confirming that mRNA can be a therapeutic target for small molecules, which opens up tremendous scientific opportunities providing tangible medical solutions. Click here to view our offerings

Deubiquitinase Platform

At Molecure DUB proteins comprise a potential important group of targets for anticancer therapeutic agents. Ubiquitination, the addition of ubiquitin to a protein, is a post-translational modification affecting the lifespan of proteins and therefore, critical to cell homeostasis. Expression of ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs), enzymes involved in the cleaving ubiquitin residues froms proteins, can be abnormal in tumors and the tumor microenvironment. This way cancer cells extend the life of specific proteins that allow them for uncontrolled growth.

USP7 Inhibitor Program

Molecure is developing inhibitors of selective and oral inhibitor of ubiquitin specific protease 7(USP7), whose high expression is seen to be aberrant in a number of tumor indications, promoting oncogenesis. In our studies, we have shown that in cancer USP7 regulates the level of many proteins involved in the immune response, hence inhibition of USP7 activity leads to the activation of T cells and the stimulation of the immune system to act against cancer cells.

Molecure has identified a lead molecule OAT-4828, a potent and selective USP7 inhibitor, which demonstrates safety and efficacy in selected models of cancer. Molecure is currently of searching for a lead candidate for pre-clinical development.

In July 2024, Molecure entered into a strategic research collaboration with Avicenna Biosciences to support the discovery and development of novel small-molecule drugs targeting ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7).

USP21 Inhibitors Program – Program suspended

The USP21 inhibitor program is based on the experience built by Molecure and naturally expands the pool of therapeutic targets from the family of enzymes – ubiquitin-specific proteases (USP). The results obtained so far by Molecure’s scientists confirm that the lack of USP21 in cancer cells slows down their proliferation and migration, and also regulates the level of key proteins involved in oncogenesis, which have been considered “undruggable targets” for years. USP21 plays an important role in the modulation of cancer cell metabolism by affecting mitochondrial function. This project is currently at the hit-to-lead stage and focuses on optimizing the identified molecules in terms of their activity, selectivity and pharmacological profile.

YKL-40 Program

YKL-40 which belongs to the chitinase-like proteins (CLPs) family, is a secreted protein with homologies to chitinases but devoid of catalytic function. High levels of YKL-40 are linked to poor prognosis, progression and the severity of various inflammatory disorders and numerous types of cancer. The protein is produced and secreted by immune cells (especially macrophages, neutrophils) and various structural cells like fibroblasts, smooth muscle, epithelial, endothelial and also cancer cells.

The program led to the discovery of the compound OAT-3912, which binds strongly and selectively to YKL-40. In preclinical studies in a colorectal cancer model, OAT-3912 has been shown to slow tumor growth by reactivating the immune system response, offering potential therapeutic benefits in many types of cancer. The compound has also shown efficacy in preclinical models of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases.

Molecure has signed an exclusive license agreement for the development of selective YKL-40 inhibitors with Ocean Biomedical, a U.S. biotechnology company, in 2024. Ocean Biomedical was granted the exclusive right to further research, develop, manufacture and commercialize the OAT-3912 molecule and other selective YKL-40 inhibitors being developed by Molecure, worldwide and for all indications.

Publications

Metabolism-driven glycosylation represents therapeutic opportunities in interstitial lung diseases

Structure-Based Discovery of High-Affinity Small Molecule Ligands and Development of Tool Probes to Study the Role of Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1

Novel orally bioavailable piperidine derivatives as extracellular arginase inhibitors developed by a ring expansion

HPLC with Post-Column Derivatization with Alizarin for Determination of OATD-02, an Anticancer Arginase Inhibitor in Clinical Development

Arginase 1/2 Inhibitor OATD-02: From Discovery to First-in-man Setup in Cancer Immunotherapy

Posters

EFMC-ASMC’19 – September 1-5, 2019 | Athens, Greece

ACS National Meeting & Expo – August 25 – 29, 2019 | San Diego, CA

ATS- International Conference – Dallas, 17-22.05.2019

ERS International Congress 2018 – Paris, France 15-19.09.2018

EFMC – YMCS – Young Medicinal Chemist Symposium – Ljubljana 02-06.09.2018