Could you briefly tell us about your background and how you got to join Dianthus Therapeutics?
I have had a long tenure in the pharmaceutical industry, beginning my career with Eli Lilly and Pfizer. These companies provided a robust foundation in the field and I found myself drawn to the dynamism of the biotech sector, valuing the impact and agility found in smaller organizations. Halfway through my career, I shifted towards biotech, focusing on strategic and business development roles. My journey into the complement market, where Dianthus operates, began after a I executed a licensing deal in 2019 for a pre-clinical complement inhibitor with Alexion Pharmaceuticals , a leader in complement therapeutics . This experience opened my eyes to the potential of complement therapies to deliver substantial benefits to patients, shareholders, and companies alike. My excitement for this innovative field led me to join Dianthus in the fall of 2021, at a pivotal time when the company was preparing to raise Series A funding to accelerate the development of our exciting active C1s complement inhibitor.
The name Dianthus is quite unique. Can you explain its significance?
Indeed, Dianthus is named after a flower that bears resemblance to the C1 complex, an integral part of the immune system's classical pathway, reflecting the company's focus on complement therapies and more specifically our focus on targeting active C1s. The name derives from Greek, combining 'dios' (of the gods) and 'anthus' (flower), inspired by mythology where Zeus creates the dianthus flower as an improvement over the lily, symbolizing our mission to create next-generation complement inhibitors that transcend the limitations of current first-generation complement therapies significantly. This approach aligns with our flagship product, DNTH103, aimed at advancing the treatment paradigm in complement-mediated diseases by improving upon existing first generation complement therapies with its unique combination of efficacy, safety, and patient convenience benefits.
Could you explain the complement system and its relevance to autoimmunity?
The complement system is a critical component of our innate immune system, designed to defend against foreign pathogens through three pathways: classical, lectin, and alternative. Each pathway plays a role in identifying and eliminating foreign invaders, with the classical pathway, our area of focus, being implicated in various autoimmune diseases. In classical pathway complement-mediated autoimmune conditions, the system mistakenly attacks healthy cells due to misidentification, leading to diseases like myasthenia gravis. Understanding and targeting the dysregulation within this system offers a pathway to developing therapies that can precisely address these autoimmune challenges while minimizing any compromise to the overall complement immune function.
Is the difficulty in finding effective treatments for autoimmunity due to the complex nature of the diseases or a lack of focused research and resources?
Our understanding of autoimmune diseases has improved significantly, thanks in part to increased investment and research in this domain. This renaissance in autoimmune and inflammation research is driving advances in our comprehension and treatment of these conditions.
While progress has been made, particularly with first-generation complement therapies, the challenge lies in developing treatments that are both effective and specific, minimizing broad immunosuppression, while also improving their convenience for patients. Our work at Dianthus exemplifies this effort, aiming to create therapies that target specific components of the complement system implicated in disease, thereby preserving the system's protective functions against infections, while also significantly lowering the treatment burden on patients.
Can you provide insight into the side effects and patient experience with current complement therapies compared to what Dianthus is developing?
Current complement therapies, while effective, often require high doses administered through intravenous infusions.. These treatments can be disruptive, necessitating significant time commitments from patients. At Dianthus, we aim to transform patient care by developing therapies that are not only more selective and safer but also more convenient. Our approach allows for subcutaneous self-administration using an auto injector, similar to devices used for some popular obesity medications today. This method significantly reduces the volume of drug required, minimizes side effects, and offers patients the flexibility to administer treatment themselves, fitting therapy into their lifestyle rather than adjusting their lives around treatment schedules. Furthermore, our technology extends the drug's half-life, potentially enabling dosing every two weeks, enhancing convenience and adherence.
Do you plan to expand your pipeline in the near future to treat other diseases?
The potential of DNTH103 has generated significant enthusiasm among our investors, leading to substantial funding over recent years, including a $230 million raise earlier this year. This excitement stems from DNTH103's capacity to function as a "pipeline within a product," offering therapeutic prospects across multiple diseases. Initially focused on myasthenia gravis (MG), we are now expanding our scope to include other conditions like multifocal motor neuropathy, or MMN, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, or CIDP. Our goal is to maximize DNTH103's value for both patients and shareholders by exploring its application in various diseases. Concurrently, we are committed to enhancing Dianthus's pipeline with additional products, ensuring the company's growth and sustainability.
How important are collaborations for Dianthus? Can you provide examples of successful partnerships?
Collaborations are foundational to Dianthus's success, exemplified by our partnership with Zenas for the development and rights of a drug in China. My background in business development has instilled a strong belief in the value of partnerships that strategically benefit all involved parties. By leveraging external expertise and resources, such as those from clinical research organizations and antibody libraries, we have been able to discover and advance our lead product, DNTH103, significantly. These collaborative efforts underscore our commitment to open innovation and strategic growth through alliances.
If you could resolve one challenge in the next couple of years, what would it be, and where do you see Dianthus in three to five years?
Our rapid growth, from a small startup to a company with a robust balance sheet and multiple clinical programs, presents both opportunities and challenges. The primary challenge is maintaining flawless execution as we expand our scope and ambitions. This entails managing the growth of our team and the expansion of clinical trials across various countries and disease states. Looking ahead, our ambition is to continue adding value to patients, shareholders and Dianthus, not only by executing our current plans but also by seeking additional growth opportunities. Our overarching goal is to improve the standard of care for patients benefiting from complement therapies, reducing treatment burdens and enhancing quality of life.
