About LUNAC Therapeutics
At LUNAC Therapeutics we're developing a first-in-class, next generation oral and intravenous anticoagulants for the treatment and prevention of life-threatening thrombotic events, without the bleeding risk associated with current anticoagulants.
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​Our focus is on the inhibition of activated Factor XII (FXIIa), a clotting factor enzyme which plays a key role in pathological clot formation (thrombosis) but not in the stemming of bleeding (haemostasis).
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​LUNAC is a spin-out company from the University of Leeds, founded and supported by world-leading experts in blood coagulation and international venture-funding.
Professor Helen Philippou
Helen Philippou is Professor of Translational Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Leeds. She is a world-leading researcher on the blood coagulation cascade, with >60 peer reviewed publications in high impact journal and 3 published patents. Helen serves on the Editorial Board of the RPTH Journal, is the Scientific Secretary for the British Society of Haemostasis and Thrombosis Society Committee (since 2016), and is a Co-Chair for the FXI and Contact System SSC of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH).
Dr. Richard Foster
Dr Richard Foster is an Associate Professor at the University of Leeds. He directs a large, multidisciplinary team in the area of small molecule hit identification and optimisation. Prior to joining the University of Leeds, Richard was a senior research manager at Tripos Discovery Research where he led medicinal chemistry efforts directed at cardiovascular, metabolic, inflammatory and CNS disorders. Richard has co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications and patents.
SCIENTIFIC FOUNDERS
Our Science
Oral anticoagulants are life-saving drugs which are significantly under-utilised because of the difficulty of balancing anti-thrombotic activity with risk of major bleeding. All current anticoagulants target parts of the coagulation cascade which are essential for normal blood clotting.
LUNAC Therapeutics is taking a different approach; our first-in-class oral small molecule targets activated Factor XII (FXIIa), a coagulation factor enzyme in a different part of the coagulation cascade. FXIIa plays a key role in pathological occlusive clot formation but not in the normal stemming of bleeding.
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​FXIIa also plays a key role in the Contact Activation system, which is part of the body’s immune and inflammation system. It has been shown that targeting FXIIa can prevent abnormal activation of the contact pathway and may also have a role in lung disease and the body’s response to infection.
Our People
CONSULTANTS & ADVISORS
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds has an impressive track record in transforming academic research into commercial success and has created more than 110 spin-out companies since 1995.
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KEY INVESTORS
Epidarex Capital
Epidarex Capital invests in early-stage, high growth life science and health technology Epidarex Capital is a transatlantic venture fund that invests in early-stage, high growth life science and health technology companies in under-ventured markets.
Epidarex focuses on providing risk capital to young companies, including spin-outs from leading research institutions in up and coming life science hubs. The firm’s international management team has a track record of successfully partnering with top scientists and entrepreneurs to develop highly innovative products for the global healthcare market.
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Mercia Asset Management PLC
Mercia is a proactive, specialist asset manager focused on supporting regional SMEs to achieve their growth aspirations. Mercia provides capital across its four asset classes of balance sheet, venture, private equity and debt capital: the Group's 'Complete Connected Capital'. The Group initially nurtures businesses via its third-party funds under management, then over time Mercia can provide further funding to the most promising companies, by deploying direct investment follow-on capital from its own balance sheet.
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The Group has a strong UK footprint through its regional offices, 19 university partnerships and extensive personal networks, providing it with access to high-quality deal flow.
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