Hepacure Pharma is developing a novel peptide therapy targeting fatty liver diseases, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD encompasses conditions marked by excess fat in the liver, increasing the risk of serious health issues like diabetes and kidney disease. Advanced NAFLD forms, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), lead to inflammation, fibrosis, and, in some cases, incurable carcinoma.
Hepacure’s therapy centers on a peptide called Luji, which targets fibrosis and reactivates immune responses in the liver. This peptide blocks key proteins in the fibrosis pathway and reactivates natural killer (NK) cells, enabling them to target hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which contribute to fibrosis. Research highlights Neuroligin-4 (NLGN4X) as a factor in NK cell inhibition, leading to fibrosis progression. Luji modulates the NLGN4-Nrx1β protein interaction, aiming to prevent fibrosis advancement.
In preclinical fibrosis mouse models, Luji demonstrated potential by slowing fibrosis progression and reducing liver inflammation and enzyme damage. It is designed for once-weekly injections to treat early-stage fibrosis (F2 stage), with the aim of preventing further liver deterioration in NAFLD patients.
