Teva spinoff CleveXel Pharma is partnering with small molecule-focused Israeli firm Dynamix Pharmaceuticals to develop a dual-mechanism SYK/JAK molecule, DNX-04042, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The product, which is orally active, is Dynamix’ lead development program.

Through this collaboration, the companies hope to bring the RA project to a clinical proof-of-concept stage. Preclinical development is currently planned for early 2014, and the first clinical trial is expected to start in 2015.

According to the firms, DNX-04042 is a oral, small molecule inhibitor of both SYK and JAK3 with significant selectivity within the JAK-family and across the kinome. The investigational treatment exhibits over 1,500-fold selectivity in cells for JAK3 over JAK2 inhibition. DNX-04042 reportedly has demonstrated excellent safety in a preclinical MTD study and a very strong anticancer effect in a mouse xenograft study of B-cell lymphoma.

“For CleveXel, the partnership will innovate in inflammatory disease, potentially also in oncology,” said the firm’s CEO Christian Bloy in a statement. “JAK3 and SYK represent new targets that are extremely interesting in order to develop an orally administered product.”

CleveXel, which was formed after the management/buyout of the Teva Development Center located in Maisons-Alfort (Val de Marne), France, says this is the fourth molecule in its product portfolio since the beginning of 2013.

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