GRI Bio presents preclinical data on GRI-0803

GRI Bio announced the presentation of preclinical data from its GRI-0803 development program at The Autoimmunity Conference hosted by FASEB held July 30-August 3, 2023 in Southbridge, MA. As part of the conference, Albert Agro, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of GRI Bio presented preclinical data from its GRI-0803 asset in development in an abstract titled, “Type 2 NKT cells directed immune regulatory mechanism in lupus nephritis,” in the Novel Translational and Clinical Treatments for Autoimmune Disease session held on August 3, 2023. The Company has investigated the role of type 2 NKT cells in the spontaneous development of lupus in BWF1 mice. Results from the studies found that both iNKT and type 2 NKT cells accumulate in kidney tissues with progression of disease in BWF1 mice. Type 2 NKT cell activation leads to a significant inhibition of nephritis in these mice. A clinically relevant structural analog of LPC, GRI-0124 also binds to CD1d, activates type 2 NKT cells and upon oral administration induces inhibition of proteinuria, anti-dsDNA antibodies as well as infiltration of CD4+/CD8+ T cells and B cells into kidney of BWF1 mice. These studies suggest a key role for a type 2 NKT cell-based immune regulatory mechanism in the control of lupus. Based on the data demonstrated to date, GRI Bio plans to evaluate GRI-0803 in a hybrid designed Phase 1 program. Healthy volunteers and patients with SLE will be assessed to examine the safety and tolerability of GRI-0803.