Auto-immune diseases are a group of complex and diverse conditions in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy cells and tissues. There are several approaches to targeting the immune system and restoring balance. Many of these approaches carry safety risks associated with immunosuppression and/or lack of specificity. Effective and safer alternatives for the treatment of auto-immune disorders continue to be an unmet medical need.
The research and development at SPARC explores novel approaches for targeting auto-immune disorders by modulating the immune system. One of the mechanisms targets the lymphocyte trafficking to the site of action. SPARC’s Vibozilimod, an S1PR1 agonist, prevents the egress of lymphocytes from the lymph nodes and their migration to the peripheral tissues. This mechanism is a targeted strategy to control the excessive immune cell activity in multiple auto-immune disorders such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disorders, etc.
SPARC’s pipeline also includes SCD-153, which is a topical itaconate derivative. SPARC is developing this topical formulation to achieve desired efficacy at the site of action with minimal systemic safety issues. By influencing key inflammatory pathways, SCD-153 can potentially target multiple immune-mediated dermatological disorders.