Herantis Pharma Plc, Press release, 19 September 2024 at 09:00 EEST

Herantis Pharma: Structural rationale of HER-096 design published in Nature Communications

The publication demonstrates that the neuroprotective activity of CDNF is mediated by its interaction with GRP78 protein providing the structural rationale of HER-096 design.

Herantis Pharma Plc (“Herantis”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson’s disease, today announced a publication in Nature Communications journal.

Title of the publication: Structural basis of CDNF interaction with the UPR regulator GRP78.

The open access article can be accessed via this link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52478-0

“For a long time, it was not well understood how CDNF (Cerebral Dopamine Neurotrophic Factor) protects cells under stress conditions. In this study, we have used state-of-the-art structural biology techniques to resolve the structure of CDNF in complex with its main target protein GRP78. This study demonstrates that this molecular interaction with GRP78, the master regulator of the unfolded protein response pathway, is required for CDNF’s neuroprotective effects. Our lead compound HER-096 has been designed to mimic the binding interface between CDNF and GRP78 and this publication nicely demonstrates this rationale“, said Henri Huttunen, CSO of Herantis Pharma and the senior author of the publication. “Thanks to the strong contribution from our partners over many years we can now share this important data with the scientific community.”

About Nature Communications:

Nature Communications (https://www.nature.com/ncomms/) is a peer-reviewed, open access, multidisciplinary scientific journal published by Nature Portfolio since 2010.

For more information, please contact:

Tone Kvåle, CFO

Tel: +47 915 19576

Email: ir@herantis.com

Certified Advisor:

UB Corporate Finance Ltd

Tel.: +358 9 25 380 225

E-mail: ubcf@unitedbankers.fi

About Herantis Pharma Plc

Herantis Pharma Plc is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing disease modifying therapies for Parkinson’s disease. Herantis’ lead product HER-096, is an advanced small synthetic chemical peptidomimetic molecule developed based on the active site of the CDNF protein. It combines the compelling mechanism of action of CDNF with the convenience of subcutaneous administration. The primary aim of the ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial is to show that repeated subcutaneous doses of HER-096 are safe and well-tolerated in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The Phase 1a clinical trial demonstrated a good safety and tolerability profile, and efficient blood-brain barrier penetration of subcutaneously administered HER-096 in healthy volunteers.

Herantis are listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland.

Company website: www.herantis.com