Clovertex Target of the Month (02/25): FXR

Clovertex's February Target of the Month is the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a nuclear receptor that plays a pivotal role in regulating bile acid homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and glucose balance. FXRs, short for farnesoid X receptors, are mainly expressed in the liver and intestine, and FXR agonists are synthetic compounds thought to hold potential across several gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. FXR is in the spotlight following Eli Lilly and Company's acquisition of Organovo Holdings' FXR program, including the lead asset FXR314, for $10 million.

FXR314 was previously in a Phase 2/3 trial for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is considered Phase 2-ready for liver fibrosis, both areas where FXR modulation could offer new treatment options. By adding FXR314 to its pipeline, Eli Lilly is expanding its focus on diseases affecting the gut-liver axis, with the potential to improve care for patients with chronic digestive and metabolic disorders.

The Protein Imager rendering displays the AlphaFold Database structure of bile acid receptor (PDB entry Q96RI1).  

About Clovertex

Clovertex is an industry leader specializing in meeting the scientific IT needs of pharmaceutical companies, with a robust focus on cloud-based or on-premises cryo-EM processing. As an Advanced Tier Services Partner with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Clovertex leverages its comprehensive expertise to architect, build, automate, and manage software applications designed to meet specific research needs. Our all-encompassing solutions are meticulously tailored to streamline the complex processes associated with pharmaceutical research, underscoring our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. By integrating state-of-the-art technology with deep scientific understanding, Clovertex paves the way in optimizing the intersection of information technology and pharmaceutical development.

Useful links

1. Eli Lilly buys Organovo's FXR program for $10M

2. Clovertex website