Our Science

Approach

We have entered a new age in our understanding of the interaction between cells and their surrounding tissue, enabling the discovery of new therapeutic targets for inflammation and fibrosis.

Halo's approach focuses on the inhibition of a critical cell-tissue mediator that is dysregulated in the context of inflammatory and fibrotic disease - Hyaluronan (HA). Our work has shown that inhibiting the synthesis of HA has the potential to safely down-regulate various inflammatory and fibrotic cell-signaling pathways and to drive clinical outcomes in diseases like pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis.

Clinical Translation

Leveraging our unique insights into HA and extracellular matrix (ECM) biology, we are developing a new class of hyaluronan-synthesis inhibitors. Our lead program, H1614, is a reformulation of the HA-inhibitor 4-methylumbelliferone or 4-MU.

Together with our collaborators at Stanford, we recently completed a Phase 2a clinical study of

4-MU in patients with pulmonary hypertension (The SATURN Study - NCT05128929). In addition to confirming safety and tolerability of 4-MU, this study highlighted the potential to drive functional improvements in patients with Group 3 PH. Insights from this study are reinforcing the basis for our proprietary formulation of 4-MU and follow on development and were presented at ATS in May 2024.

Our Pipeline

Relevant Publications

Nagy N, et al. Hymecromone Promotes Longevity and Insulin Sensitivity in Mice. Cells. 2024; 13(20):1727. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13201727

Rosser, JI, et al. Oral hymecromone decreases hyaluronan in human study participants. J Clin Invest. 2022; 132(9):e157983. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI157983

Collum SD, et al. Adenosine and hyaluronan promote lung fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension in combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. Dis Model Mech. 2019 May 1;12(5):dmm038711.

Nagy N, et al. Hyaluronan in immune dysregulation and autoimmune diseases. Matrix Biol. 2019;78-79:292-313. doi:10.1016/j.matbio.2018.03.022

Collum SD, et al. Inhibition of hyaluronan synthesis attenuates pulmonary hypertension associated with lung fibrosis. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2017;174(19):3284–301.

Collum SD, et al. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Current and Future Perspectives. Can Respir J. 2017;2017:1430350.

Collum SD, et al. Inhibition of hyaluronan synthesis attenuates pulmonary hypertension associated with lung fibrosis. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2017;174(19):3284–301.

Kuipers HF, et al. The pharmacokinetics and dosing of oral 4-methylumbelliferone for inhibition of hyaluronan synthesis in mice. Clinical & Experimental Immunology. 2016;185(3):372–81.

Nagy N, et al. 4-methylumbelliferone treatment and hyaluronan inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in inflammation, autoimmunity, and cancer. Front Immunol. 2015;6:123.

Our Science

Approach

Clinical Translation

Relevant Publications

Our research adheres to industry standards and regulations