Introduction
This episode of "Translating Aging" features a fascinating conversation about tackling chronic diseases and aging by eliminating pathogenic cells. The host, Chris Patil, VP of Media at BioH Labs, interviews the co-founders of Arda Therapeutics, Adam Freund (CEO) and Remi-Martin Laberge (CTO). They discuss the origins of Arda, their work in cellular senescence, and their innovative approach to treating chronic diseases by targeting and eliminating harmful cells.
Key Takeaways
- Arda Therapeutics is focused on eliminating pathogenic cells that drive chronic diseases and age-related conditions, rather than targeting individual pathways.
- Fibrosis, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, is a key focus area, with promising preclinical results demonstrating effective elimination of pathogenic cells.
- Arda leverages oncology-inspired techniques like antibody-drug conjugates to precisely target and destroy harmful cells, with potential applications beyond cancer.
Key Points
Origins and Mission of Arda Therapeutics
The episode starts with an introduction to Arda Therapeutics, co-founded by Adam Freund and Remi-Martin Laberge, both former colleagues at Calico Life Sciences and Unity Biotechnology. They shared a common interest in cellular senescence and its role in aging and chronic diseases. Arda was founded to explore the potential of targeting pathogenic cells beyond senescent cells, aiming to address a wide range of chronic conditions.
Adam explains that during their time in the lab, they started thinking about how certain cells could be pathogenic and drive diseases, and eliminating these cells might benefit patients. Over the years, their hypothesis expanded to include other cell types beyond senescent cells, leading to the creation of Arda Therapeutics. The company focuses on identifying and eliminating cells that contribute to chronic diseases, using advanced tools like single-cell RNA sequencing to pinpoint pathogenic cell types.
Approach to Cell Elimination
Arda’s approach to treating chronic diseases is centered around eliminating pathogenic cells rather than modifying individual pathways or proteins. This method contrasts with traditional pharmaceutical approaches that aim to adjust cell behavior by blocking or agonizing pathways. Instead, Arda uses techniques like antibody-drug conjugates to specifically target and eliminate cells that are harmful to the body.
One of the main advantages of this approach, as Adam and Remi explain, is that unlike cancer, the cells they target are not rapidly dividing or evolving resistance, which makes them easier to eliminate. This also means that achieving complete elimination of all pathogenic cells is not always necessary, as a partial reduction can still lead to significant therapeutic benefits. The focus is on achieving a therapeutic index—finding a dose that effectively eliminates the target cells without harming healthy tissue.
Focus on Fibrosis and Other Chronic Diseases
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is highlighted as one of Arda’s primary targets. IPF is a progressive disease characterized by the accumulation of scar tissue in the lungs, which eventually leads to respiratory failure. The founders describe how they identified specific cell types responsible for the fibrosis process and developed therapies to eliminate these cells using antibody-drug conjugates. By targeting these cells, Arda aims to halt or even reverse the progression of fibrosis.
The conversation also touches on other types of fibrosis, such as liver fibrosis, and potential applications in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Remi notes that while fibrosis in different organs may involve different cell types, the underlying mechanisms are often similar, providing an opportunity to apply their targeted cell elimination strategy across various conditions. The hosts also discuss the potential for expanding their approach to target immune cells involved in autoimmune diseases, offering a new way to treat these complex conditions without broadly suppressing the immune system.
Leveraging Oncology Tools for Chronic Diseases
Arda’s approach draws heavily on tools originally developed for oncology, such as antibody-drug conjugates. In cancer treatment, these conjugates are used to deliver toxic drugs directly to cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy cells. Arda is applying the same principle to chronic diseases, using these conjugates to selectively eliminate pathogenic cells that drive disease progression.
Adam highlights the advantages of using these tools outside of oncology. Unlike cancer cells, which are highly resistant and rapidly dividing, the pathogenic cells involved in chronic diseases are more static, making them easier to target and eliminate. This allows Arda to use lower doses and achieve longer intervals between treatments, potentially reducing side effects and improving patient quality of life. The founders emphasize that their approach could lead to intermittent dosing schedules—perhaps once every few months—allowing patients to live relatively normal lives between treatments.
Conclusion
This episode of "Translating Aging" offers a deep dive into Arda Therapeutics' novel approach to treating chronic diseases by eliminating pathogenic cells. By leveraging oncology-inspired techniques, Arda aims to address conditions like fibrosis and autoimmune diseases in a way that is both targeted and potentially transformative. Their work represents a significant departure from traditional drug development, focusing on cellular elimination rather than pathway modulation.
Overall, the conversation highlights the promise of targeted cell elimination as a therapeutic strategy, with the potential to revolutionize how we treat chronic diseases and possibly even slow down aspects of aging. The founders of Arda are optimistic about the future of this approach, and their work may pave the way for new, more effective treatments that improve both health outcomes and patient quality of life.