Core Insights - GRI Bio, Inc. presented positive preclinical data at the 8th Annual Antifibrotic Drug Development Summit, indicating that its lead program GRI-0621 effectively reduces inflammatory and fibrotic drivers in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) patients [1][2][3] Company Overview - GRI Bio is a biotechnology company focused on developing Natural Killer T (NKT) cell modulators for treating inflammatory, fibrotic, and autoimmune diseases [7] - The company's lead program, GRI-0621, is a small molecule RAR-βɣ dual agonist that inhibits human iNKT cell activity [5][7] Clinical Development - GRI Bio is currently conducting a Phase 2a randomized, double-blind, multi-center, placebo-controlled study for GRI-0621 in IPF patients, with interim data expected in Q1 2025 and topline results in Q2 2025 [6] - The ongoing study aims to examine iNKT activity and key biomarkers in IPF patients [1][6] Research Findings - Data presented showed that enhanced iNKT activity correlates with fibrosis progression in MASH patients and proinflammatory gene expression in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from IPF patients [3][4] - In experimental models, GRI-0621 administration inhibited key pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduced neutrophil accumulation, and decreased pro-fibrotic fibroblast activation [3][4] Presentation Highlights - The findings were shared during an invited talk by Marc Hertz, CEO of GRI Bio, emphasizing the unmet need for effective treatments for fibrotic diseases like IPF [2][3] - A poster presentation detailed the involvement of iNKT cells in driving lung fibrosis, highlighting increased expression of pro-fibrotic molecules in IPF patients compared to healthy controls [4]
GRI Bio Showcases GRI-0621's Potential to Reduce Inflammation, Type 1 Cytokines and Reduce Hepatic Fibrosis in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)