Thryv Therapeutics Expands Drug Development with New SGK1 Inhibitors from Spain

Thryv Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm known for its innovative selective SGK1 inhibitors, recently shared exciting news about its expansion into neurodegenerative diseases. The company has secured an exclusive, royalty-bearing patent and know-how license from Spain's prestigious National Research Council (CSIC) and the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM). This partnership, effective July 1, 2026, broadens Thryv’s already promising portfolio.

New Opportunities in Neurodegenerative Diseases

The newly acquired license allows Thryv to incorporate a unique class of SGK1 inhibitors into its platform, specifically engineered for applications in treating neurodegenerative conditions. This agreement signifies a significant stride not only for the company but also for the advancement of treatments for complex diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. By obtaining rights that encompass all fields and territories, Thryv is poised to explore a wide range of therapeutic possibilities, including the opportunity to sublicense its findings.

Leveraging New Chemical Scaffolds

Thryv's current SGK1 inhibitor candidates were developed from a single licensed scaffold and associated with extensive medicinal chemistry research. The collaboration with CSIC and UAM presents a distinct chemotype from a different research initiative, providing Thryv with a foundational structure that differs fundamentally from its existing compounds. This added diversity is critical for optimizing drug chemistry in relation to specific medical indications, enabling the firm to create molecules tailored to treat conditions affecting the brain.

Research Backing the New Development

The innovative license stems from collaboration among leading researchers at CSIC and UAM. The medicinal chemistry group, guided by Dr. Ana Martínez and Dr. Carmen Gil, along with the cardiovascular research team led by Dr. Eduardo Oliver Pérez, supports an effort to explore SGK1's role in various neurodegenerative mechanisms. Additionally, the neurobiology expertise of Dr. Isabel Lastres-Becker and the pharmacology insights of Dr. Ana Briones Alonso bolster this project, ensuring that the work is grounded in comprehensive scientific knowledge.

Activated SGK1 is implicated in vital pathways relevant to neurodegeneration; it plays a role in tau phosphorylation, the management of misfolded proteins, and cellular stress responses. This biological landscape makes it particularly relevant for addressing the complexities of diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s.

Comments from Leadership

Expressing her enthusiasm, Debra Odink, President and Chief Development Officer of Thryv Therapeutics, highlighted the significance of this new agreement: "This is a genuinely exciting day for Thryv. We have spent years building conviction that SGK1 is one of the most underexploited targets in medicine, and we are now equipped with a robust platform to tackle these diseases directly."

Odink continued, emphasizing the exceptional work coming from the CSIC and UAM teams, saying, "Parkinson's and Alzheimer's are among the biggest challenges in drug development. We are excited to systematically apply SGK1 biology towards solutions while simultaneously advancing our heart disease programs."

Future Development Plans

Thryv’s lead candidate, THRV-1268, is currently under evaluation in a clinical trial assessing its efficacy for patients with Long QT Syndrome Type 2. Following this, a Phase 2a study focused on heart failure will commence. Meanwhile, initial development efforts targeting the new SGK1 series will start immediately, with hopes of identifying a development candidate by 2027.

About Thryv Therapeutics

Thryv Therapeutics Inc. focuses on advancing a proprietary collection of selective SGK1 inhibitors. The company’s mission encompasses addressing inherited arrhythmia syndromes and heart failure while now branching out into critical neurodegenerative disorders. Headquartered in Montréal, Québec, Thryv aims to bring innovative solutions to market in these high-need medical areas. For further details, visit www.thryvtrx.com.