News Release

Myeloperoxidase activity in individuals with Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) can be inhibited by RLS-0071

At the 2021 Annual Conference of Rheumatology (ACR), Dr. Parvathi Kumar, ReAlta’s Associate Director of Early Clinical Development, presented data demonstrating that lead compound RLS-0071 inhibits myeloperoxidase activity in individuals with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA).

RLS-0071 is a PEGylated peptide which inhibits MPO activity in animal models and ex vivo and also inhibits neutrophil mediated NETosis in vitro and in vivo.

ReAlta conducted a pilot study measuring MPO activity in patient samples acquired commercially from a biorepository.  AI (Antibody Index) units were available for each sample which represents a manufacturer specific composite score of anti-MPO, anti-PR3 and anti-GBM antibody titers.

In this pilot study, ReAlta’s researchers found that plasma from ANCA patients demonstrated a wide range of MPO activity and the AI unit appears to generally trend with plasma MPO activity. We also demonstrated that RLS-0071 inhibits MPO activity in plasma acquired from individuals with ANCA-associated pathophysiology. Future studies will focus on elucidating relationships between MPO activity, MPO quantity, free plasma DNA as a surrogate measurement of NETs and anti-MPO titers.

More information about the American College of Rheumatology can be found at this link.