Aer Therapeutics
Aer Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing novel inhaled treatments for muco-obstructive lung diseases, focusing initially on COPD and expanding to other conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis. Their mission is to advance the treatment paradigm for mucus-mediated lung diseases through innovative therapies such as AER-01, a mucolytic designed to liquify mucus plugs in the lungs.
Industries
Nr. of Employees
small (1-50)
Aer Therapeutics
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States, North America
Products
Inhaled thiol-modified carbohydrate mucolytic clinical candidate
A clinical-stage small-molecule mucolytic designed to cleave mucin disulfide bonds and liquefy airway mucus plugs, formulated for nebulizer and dry powder inhaler delivery.
AER-01
AER-01 (fexlamose) is the first drug specifically designed to target core mucus pathology and mucus obstructions in COPD and asthma, breaking down and liquefying the dense and sticky mucus that blocks airflow. It targets mucus directly to clear mucus plugs in the lungs, offering a novel solution to a persistent problem in respiratory care.
Fexlamose
Fexlamose is a novel inhaled mucolytic drug being developed as a chronic treatment for COPD and asthma, designed to improve lung function, lessen symptoms, and improve quality of life. It is a thiol-modified carbohydrate that cleaves mucin disulfide bridges to liquefy mucus plugs and is suitable for pulmonary delivery by nebulizer or as dry powder.
Inhaled thiol-modified carbohydrate mucolytic clinical candidate
A clinical-stage small-molecule mucolytic designed to cleave mucin disulfide bonds and liquefy airway mucus plugs, formulated for nebulizer and dry powder inhaler delivery.
AER-01
AER-01 (fexlamose) is the first drug specifically designed to target core mucus pathology and mucus obstructions in COPD and asthma, breaking down and liquefying the dense and sticky mucus that blocks airflow. It targets mucus directly to clear mucus plugs in the lungs, offering a novel solution to a persistent problem in respiratory care.
Fexlamose
Fexlamose is a novel inhaled mucolytic drug being developed as a chronic treatment for COPD and asthma, designed to improve lung function, lessen symptoms, and improve quality of life. It is a thiol-modified carbohydrate that cleaves mucin disulfide bridges to liquefy mucus plugs and is suitable for pulmonary delivery by nebulizer or as dry powder.
Services
Design and operational execution of early-phase clinical studies for inhaled mucolytic candidates, including patient selection using imaging biomarkers.
Oversight of drug substance manufacturing, process and analytical development, and production of clinical trial API through external manufacturing partners.
Development and application of CT-based mucus plug scoring systems to identify patients with high mucus burden and to monitor therapeutic effects.
Design and operational execution of early-phase clinical studies for inhaled mucolytic candidates, including patient selection using imaging biomarkers.
Oversight of drug substance manufacturing, process and analytical development, and production of clinical trial API through external manufacturing partners.
Development and application of CT-based mucus plug scoring systems to identify patients with high mucus burden and to monitor therapeutic effects.
Expertise Areas
- Inhaled drug development
- Mucolytic therapeutic development
- Preclinical translational research
- CT-based imaging biomarkers for lungs
Key Technologies
- Thiol-based disulfide bond reduction chemistry
- Inhalation delivery (nebulizer and dry powder)
- Quantitative CT lung imaging and scoring
- Preclinical translational models
News & Updates
Supported by premier life science industry investors Canaan, OrbiMed, and Hatteras Venture Partners. Proceeds to advance AER-01 into the clinic for treatment of COPD; unique targeted approach to treating patients affected by mucus plugs.
Reference: Addante A et al., A novel thiol-saccharide mucolytic for the treatment of muco-obstructive lung diseases. Eur Respir J 2023; in press (https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.02022-2022).
Editorial by: Burton F. Dickey and Christopher M. Evans Eur. Respir J 2023; 61: 2300619
Diaz A, Mucus plugs occluding COPD airways: A Review of their clinical impact. The 2023 International Workshop on Pulmonary Imaging; Philadelphia, PA, February 23 – 25, 2023
Reference: Dunican EM et al., Mucus plugs and emphysema in the pathophysiology of airflow obstruction and hypoxemia in smokers. Am J Respir Crit Care Med; Vol 203, Iss 8, pp 957–968, Apr 15, 2021
Reference: Okajima Y et al., Luminal plugging on chest CT scan, association with lung function, quality of life, and COPD clinical phenotypes. CHEST; 158(1):121-130, 2020
Supported by premier life science industry investors Canaan, OrbiMed, and Hatteras Venture Partners. Proceeds to advance AER-01 into the clinic for treatment of COPD; unique targeted approach to treating patients affected by mucus plugs.
Reference: Addante A et al., A novel thiol-saccharide mucolytic for the treatment of muco-obstructive lung diseases. Eur Respir J 2023; in press (https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.02022-2022).
Editorial by: Burton F. Dickey and Christopher M. Evans Eur. Respir J 2023; 61: 2300619
Diaz A, Mucus plugs occluding COPD airways: A Review of their clinical impact. The 2023 International Workshop on Pulmonary Imaging; Philadelphia, PA, February 23 – 25, 2023
Reference: Dunican EM et al., Mucus plugs and emphysema in the pathophysiology of airflow obstruction and hypoxemia in smokers. Am J Respir Crit Care Med; Vol 203, Iss 8, pp 957–968, Apr 15, 2021
Reference: Okajima Y et al., Luminal plugging on chest CT scan, association with lung function, quality of life, and COPD clinical phenotypes. CHEST; 158(1):121-130, 2020