Avexxin AS
Aiming to treat psoriasis, by inhibiting an intracellular enzyme
This article was originally published in Start Up
Executive Summary
Avexxin AS is betting that the novel molecular target identified by one of its co-founders will enable development of a drug capable of treating inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis and perhaps, ultimately, more severe conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Its small molecule candidate is designed to block the intracellular enzyme group GIVαPLA2 to shut down the cytokine-mediated cascade that leads to production of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor-κB and eventually to the production of a better-known bad actor: tumor necrosis factor alpha.