Cypralis has entered into a collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation, to develop new cyclophilin inhibitors for neurodegenerative diseases. The terms were not disclosed.
 
Cypralis focuses on the discovery of therapeutics for the modulation of peptidyl-prolyl isomerases (PPIases). Cyclophilin inhibitors on the market or in development are non-selective between the four commonly screened cyclophilin isoforms A, B, C and D. Cypralis and Janssen are undertaking a joint research program to generate a new class of CNS penetrant, selective inhibitors of cyclophilin D to target degenerative diseases including CNS degeneration. The medicinal chemistry and PPIase screening will be sub-contracted to Selcia Ltd.
 
Simon Kerr, chief executive officer of Cypralis said, “We are delighted to be collaborating with Janssen in order to develop a novel class of cyclophilin D inhibitors. We are hopeful that this effort will pave the way towards a new approach to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.”