Arrivo BioVentures Emerges From Stealth Mode With a Robust Pipeline & Promising Data

After launching the company over 5 years ago with a team of seasoned serial entrepreneurs, $49 million in committed capital, and the promise to assemble a pipeline of development-stage drug candidates, Arrivo BioVentures is emerging from stealth mode having done just that. The company has built a robust pipeline of products that have the potential to be first-in-class or best-in-class across a number of therapeutic areas.

Arrivo’s pipeline includes four novel drug candidates. Arrivo’s model is opportunistic, and not tied to a particular disease or disorder. The team can pursue potential products that address unmet medical needs regardless of therapeutic area.

Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Steve Butts describes how Arrivo is different, “We are problem solvers by nature, so our lens when evaluating a potential product is – how can we make this work? We are also very experienced at fast and efficient drug development. We get to the answer quickly.” 

Arrivo is disclosing promising results from a Phase 1 study with DLX-2323, its single-chain variable fragment inhibitor of IL-1b. IL-1b is a potent cytokine and an important mediator of the body’s acute and chronic immune response. Uncontrolled overexpression can initiate and exacerbate multiple (auto)immune conditions. The Phase 1 study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose study with three cohorts of healthy volunteers. As part of the design, Arrivo included an ex vivo pharmacodynamic assay measuring inhibition of IL-1b by DLX-2323 in the serum of study subjects. In addition to demonstrating an excellent safety and tolerability profile, pharmacodynamic data in the Phase 1 study demonstrated 90%-100% inhibition of IL-1b at doses as low as 5 mg.

“DLX-2323 uniquely combines high potency, specificity to IL-1b, and excellent tissue penetration. Its small size also creates the potential for multiple routes of administration, which could prove important in treating certain conditions,” said Arrivo co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Michael Ackermann, PhD. “Arrivo continues to be excited about the future for DLX-2323 and its potential across a number of diseases and disorders.”

Arrivo’s most advanced development program, SP-624, is currently in a 300-patient Phase 2 study for major depressive disorder. SP-624 acts via a novel epigenetic mechanism to enhance neuroplasticity in brain regions involved in depression, namely the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The study is 80% enrolled and the company expects data readout in Q3 2022.

The portfolio also includes two other promising drug candidates. DLX-105 is single-chain variable fragment the company is delivering topically to directly treat mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. DLX-105 is currently in a small proof-of-concept study with data readout expected in Q2 2022. The fourth drug candidate is RABI-767, potentially the first treatment for severe acute pancreatitis. Arrivo has now taken over the lead from its strategic development partner, Lamassu Pharma, LLC, and the drug is entering the clinic in 2022.

Working in partnership with investors, innovators, and pharmaceutical companies, Arrivo is always seeking solutions for unmet medical needs. Arrivo strives to set a new standard that starts with the selection of drug candidates through clinical development.

Arrivo has built a portfolio of diverse drug candidates with the potential to be first-in-class or best-in-class. It is not just the products that are novel. Arrivo’s entire approach is novel. The company’s unique form of drug development has resulted in a history of product successes and excellent returns. 

The company stands on a solid foundation as the team has an average of more than 25 years of experience in drug development. Arrivo is founded and led by a team that has built and sold four companies in the last 15 years. Two products are currently commercially available and helping patients. Arrivo is propelled forward by its insatiable curiosity and drive to solve complex problems and help millions of patients globally. Arrivo is based in Morrisville, N.C., on the edge of Research Triangle Park. For more information, visit www.arrivobio.com.