Artelo Biosciences Presents Positive Pre-Clinical Results for Novel FABP5 Inhibitor


Artelo Biosciences, Inc. recently announced Professor Saoirse O’Sullivan, Vice President of Translational Sciences at Artelo Biosciences, presented new research results titled Discovery and Preclinical Evaluation of a Novel Inhibitor of FABP5, ART26.12, Effective In Chemotherapy-Induced Pain, during the opening oral session of the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) Symposium.

“Our pre-clinical research showed that chronic, oral treatment with ART26.12, our lead FABP5 inhibitor, was effective at both preventing and treating both oxaliplatin and paclitaxel-induced pain sensitivity without any sedating effects,” said Professor Saoirse O’Sullivan. “In the prevention studies, ART26.12 also minimized the acute weight loss caused by oxaliplatin. These results support further development of ART26.12 in neuropathy associated with chemotherapy and other neuropathies.”

Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, also known as CIPN, is a common and often painfully debilitating complication of cancer therapies, sometimes resulting in reduction or cessation of treatment. For some cancer patients, CIPN may persist long after chemotherapy is stopped. In pre-clinical models of CIPN, inhibition of fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) has demonstrated positive activity in analgesia, ameliorating effects of CIPN, a condition for which no currently approved treatment exists.

“Development of therapeutics for CIPN represents an attractive, new opportunity for Artelo’s FABP5 inhibitors,” said Gregory D. Gorgas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Artelo Biosciences. “While we continue to develop our inhibitors to FABPs in cancer and anxiety, based on these latest research findings in CIPN, we intend to meet with the FDA for pre-IND consultation on ART26.12 before the end of this year.”

Fatty Acid Binding Proteins (FABPs) are a family of intracellular proteins that chaperone lipids including endocannabinoids and fatty acids. Various inhibitors of FABPs may be particularly useful for the treatment of specific cancers, neuropathic and nociceptive pain, and anxiety disorders. ART26.12, Artelo’s lead FABP inhibitor compound, is a selective inhibitor of FABP5. While developing our lead molecule for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, additional compound(s) from our extensive library of potent and selective inhibitors of FABPs have been identified and selected for advancement towards regulatory-enabling studies in cancer and other areas of high-unmet need where inhibition of FABPs show significant promise.

Artelo Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics that modulate lipid-signaling pathways including the endocannabinoid system. Artelo is advancing a portfolio of broadly applicable product candidates designed to address significant unmet needs in multiple diseases and conditions, including anorexia, cancer, anxiety, pain, and inflammation. Led by proven biopharmaceutical executives collaborating with highly respected researchers and technology experts, the company applies leading edge scientific, regulatory, and commercial discipline to develop high-impact therapies. For more information, visit www.artelobio.com.