Reena Halai
Inflazome Ltd, UK
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Neuro Neurophy
Statement of the Problem: The overactivation of the innate immune system, and the subsequent downstream
inflammatory responses this induces, is an important contributing factor to the pathogenesis and progression of CNS
disorders. The role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in neurodegeneration is becoming apparent, since the discovery of
a NLRP3 specific inhibitor (MCC950). At Inflazome, we asked the question, can inhibitory therapeutic targeting of
the NLRP3 inflammasome help to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD)?
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Using human tissue and well validated in vivo models of Parkinson’s
disease, we looked to explore the role of NLRP3 in this disease. We then utilized MCC950 and our CNS penetrant
clinical candidate, Inzomelid, to establish the effect therapeutic intervention has in these models.
Findings: Our findings show that NLRP3 is upregulated in humans with PD and also in animal models of PD.
Fibrillar -synuclein, activated microglial NLRP3 in the absence of aggregates, which was ameliorated in the presence
of NLRP3 inhibitors. Furthermore, our clinical candidate Inzomelid, mitigated motor deficits and nigrostriatal
dopaminergic degeneration in the in vivo models.
Conclusion & Significance: This data shows microglial NLRP3 perpetuates inflammation in PD and thus propagates
dopaminergic neuropathology. NLRP3 would therefore be a valid target for disease- modifying treatments for PD.
Our clinical candidate is currently in Phase I studies and we aim to enter Parkinsonâ??s clinical trials in 2020
Reena Halai completed her PhD at The University of Queensland in neuropathic pain before continuing onto a post doc for six years in the GPCR biology space. She then moved to the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridgeshire where she was the project manager for the Human induced pluripotent stem cell initiative. Prior to her PhD, Reena had also spent time at Glaxo Smith Kline and UCB biopharma, so has experience in both the academic and industry sector. Reena joint the Cambridge site of Inflazome, an Irish biotech company developing small molecule NLRP3 inhibitors, in 2017, where she has been managing the pre-clinical biology and mechanistic studies at Inflazome
E-mail: Dashne.omar@nhs.net
