Project Leader: Angelo Reggiani, PhD
Palmitoyethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous analgesic and anti-inflammatory substance. D3 is developing compounds (e.g. ARN077) that inhibit the enzyme responsible for PEA degradation, called N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA), causing in turn a marked inhibition of the inflammatory response. Indeed, in animal models of skin hypersensitivity and dermatitis, ARN077 is more effective at reducing inflammation than non-steroidal or even steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Moreover, ARN077 lacks steroid-like side effects. ARN077 has been advanced to preclinical development as a topical treatment for inflammatory diseases of the skin, with atopic dermatitis as a primary indication. In addition to developing ARN077, D3 is optimizing chemical ‘hits’ with the objective of developing potent orally active NAAA inhibitors.
