#United States #Oklahoma City #Cadenza Bio #MS #ERβ ligands

Cadenza Bio Unveils Groundbreaking Study on MS Treatment

On October 9, 2025, Cadenza Bio, Inc. announced significant findings from a collaborative study focusing on the potential of oral, brain-penetrant estrogen receptor β (ERβ) ligands to drive remyelination in models of multiple sclerosis (MS). Published in the reputable journal Scientific Reports, the study highlights the dual benefits of two selected compounds, K102 and K110, in promoting myelin repair and enhancing visual functions in preclinical settings.

Understanding the Study

The research involved scientists from several prestigious institutions, including the University of California, Riverside, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, alongside contributions from Cadenza Bio itself. Funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Fast Forward program, the study sought to explore a novel approach to addressing one of MS’s most daunting challenges: myelin regeneration.

Current therapies for MS often prioritize managing inflammation, largely overlooking the crucial need for repairing the damaged myelin sheath. However, K102 and K110 demonstrate effective dual mechanisms, not just mitigating inflammation but also fostering significant remyelination, leading to improved functional outcomes in visual pathway evaluations, commonly used in human MS research.

Dr. Seema Tiwari-Woodruff, the study's leading author and a scientific founder of Cadenza Bio, remarked on the promising results, noting, "Our findings illustrate that treatment with ERβ ligands can promote neuroprotection and enhance the function of the visual pathways. Such assessments, measured through non-invasive techniques like OCT, ERG, and VEP, hold great importance as they can also be directly applied in clinical trials."

Key Highlights of the Research

• - Dual Mechanism of Action: Both K102 and K110 enhanced remyelination while modulating immune responses, highlighting their dual activity.
• - Repair Signals: The study provided evidence of myelin repair in established MS models, showcasing increased levels of myelin and oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible for producing myelin.
• - Functional Recovery: Animals treated with the ligands showed improved metrics in vision, as indicated by their electroretinogram (ERG) results and retained retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, which were restored to baseline levels.
• - Effective Oral Dosing: Both compounds showed significant brain penetration following oral administration, indicating their potential for central nervous system activity.

Future Aspirations

Dr. Carol Curtis, co-founder and CEO of Cadenza Bio, expressed enthusiasm about the study's implications for advancing K102 and K110 into clinical development. She stated, "The findings not only indicate a promising dual mechanism of action but also align with clinical endpoint measures, establishing a strong foundation for the further development of these compounds. Our commitment is to expedite the introduction of these drug candidates to not only halt disease progression but also to initiate repair and ultimately enhance the quality of life for those battling MS."

Progressive MS remains an area of concern with limited treatment options available that truly address myelin restoration. The potential of ERβ as a therapeutic target is noteworthy, given its role in promoting remyelination and neuronal protection while also modulating the immune system's adverse reactions.

Cadenza Bio aims to lead the way in offering a genuinely innovative oral treatment option that tackles both inflammation and the restoration of the protective nerve covering. Following the encouraging preclinical results, the company is actively pursuing fundraising efforts to transition into Phase 1 clinical trials, marking a pivotal step in their journey.

About Cadenza Bio, Inc.

Cadenza Bio, Inc. is a biotechnology firm focused on developing innovative small-molecule drugs to address demands in the treatment of demyelinating and inflammatory diseases. Their mission underscores a commitment to breaking the disease cycle, alleviating symptoms, and restoring life quality for affected patients through top-tier collaborations and groundbreaking research.

For more details, you can visit Cadenza Bio's official website.