Aerpio Therapeutics announced its debut as a stand-alone clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel small molecule Tie-2 activators and HIF-1a stabilizers for multiple diseases.

Aerpio was created in a spin-out transaction from Akebia Therapeutics and is seeking to raise a Series A financing round in 2012.

Aerpio’s lead program, AKB-9778, is a Tie-2 activator under development for diabetic macular edema (DME) and a Phase 2a study is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2012. The second program includes Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1a (HIF-1a) stabilizers, with AKB-4924 in late preclinical development for inflammatory bowel disease.

The company aims to have results from the planned Phase 2 study of AKB-9778 by the end of the year.

Release Date: Jan 9, 2012

Source: Aerpio Therapeutics