Nirogy Therapeutics

Nirogy Therapeutics is developing novel medicines for cancer, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. Nirogy platform is focused on a novel target class of membrane-bound solute carrier transporters (SLCT). SLCT platform has the potential to exploit >450 drug targets. Nirogy’s initial program is on cancer indications with the second program on autoimmune diseases. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy is effective in only ~20% of patients. Emerging evidence indicates that resistance to ICB involves metabolic reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer cells release lactate to the TME via lactate transporters fueling rapid tumor growth. Lactate creates an acidic TME and suppress immune cells in the TME. Nirogy has developed novel compounds that block lactate transporters resulting in cancer cell death while simultaneously enhancing antitumor immunity. This novel therapeutic modality addresses the deficiencies of current treatments including immunotherapy drugs.