Transforming Medicine with Lateral Pharma’s Novel Target and First-in-Class Therapeutics
Lateral Pharma’s mission is to enable science to create healthier lives. We do this by developing first-in-class medicines which transform patient outcomes across some of the most important areas in healthcare. Our innovation is built on the breakthrough discovery of a new host-protective biological pathway. This has resulted in a platform technology targeting the LanC-like (LanCL) proteins. These proteins are located widely throughout the body and naturally assist cells withstand stress, inflammation, and damage.
Lateral Pharma’s platform has developed a range of Stressed Cell Protectant (SCP) drugs that activate the LanCL related protective pathways. Building on this science, Lateral Pharma is advancing a pipeline of peptides and discovering low molecular weight drugs with treatment potential in neurological disorders, including neuropathic pain and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and MND/ALS.
With additional funding and resources, we believe our compounds can address other conditions that impact Healthspan, including sarcopenia (muscle wasting that contributes to frailty in the elderly) and infection or inflammatory respiratory diseases such as influenza and COVID-19, which reduce lung function and accelerate decline.
Our programs span preclinical research through to human clinical trials, with encouraging results that demonstrate both safety and efficacy.
Our Clinical Pipeline and Biotech Breakthroughs
Safety and Proof of Concept of our First-in-Class Therapeutics
Our previous lead candidate LAT8881 has been evaluated in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials, demonstrating a very encouraging safety profile in the more than 700 patients dosed to date. Of these, 65 patients received intravenous doses of up to 1.8mg/kg.
In a Phase 1b human clinical trial in patients with chronic lumbar radicular pain (“sciatica”), a single intravenous dose of LAT8881 produced clinically meaningful pain relief within hours of a straight-leg raise provocation. Importantly, the safety and efficacy observed in humans closely mirrored results seen in animal models (see figure below), with no serious adverse events or treatment discontinuations due to adverse effects.
Lateral Pharma’s current lead candidate is the next-generation therapy LAT9997*. This compound is a small active component of LAT8881, making it cheaper to manufacture and easier to formulate for subcutaneous injection, supporting widespread clinical use.
In August 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a Notice of Allowance for a composition of matter patent covering LAT9997*. This will proceed to grant in November 2025.
Breakthrough Case Studies | Showcasing Biotech Innovation and Clinical Impact
Neuropathic Pain: Transforming Chronic Pain Treatment
In a recent chronic dosing study using the “Chung” rat model of sciatic-type pain, LAT9997* was administered by subcutaneous injection once daily for 14 consecutive days. By day 7, pain scores had been reduced by 80%, with the improvements persisting for several days after the final dose on day 14. These findings form the foundation for a future multi-dose LAT9997* clinical trial in sciatic patients (see figure below).
In parallel animal studies, Lateral Pharma has also shown that LAT peptides do not cause behavioral changes such as sedation or addiction, which often limit the utility of existing treatments like opioids and gabapentinoids.
Neurology: Advancing Neuroprotection and Alzheimer’s Research
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s require bold innovation to move beyond symptomatic treatments. Lateral Pharma is advancing a novel approach through LanCL-targeting Stressed Cell Protective (SCP) drugs that directly activate the body’s protective pathways.
In a recent study using an iPSC-derived human mini-brain hydrogen model of Alzheimer’s disease, our compounds were tested against toxic amyloid beta build-up, a hallmark of the disease. Treatment with Lateral Pharma’s SCP drugs significantly reduced amyloid beta deposition compared to control, while scrambled control peptide showed no effect (see figure below).
This dual effect – lowering amyloid burden and promoting cell survival – underscores the neuroprotective potential of LanCL-targeting compounds. Together, these findings suggest that Lateral Pharma’s SCP drugs could form the basis of first-in-class therapeutics capable of slowing or even preventing cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
Infectious Respiratory Disease: Host-Directed Therapies for Pandemic Preparedness
Respiratory infections including influenza and COVID-19 remain global health threats, with current antivirals limited by treatment windows and resistance concerns. Lateral Pharma is addressing this gap with LanCL-targeting SCP drugs that strengthen the body’s protective pathways to improve survival and preserve lung function.
In preclinical models of severe influenza, treatment with LAT9997* produced a clear survival advantage compared to untreated controls, even when dosing was initiated after infection had taken hold (see figure below). This reflects a critical real-world advantage, as patients often present for treatment after symptoms are well established.
Together, these data points show that the LanCL-targeting SCP drugs not only control viral replication but also prevent the runaway inflammation and lung damage that drive sever outcomes.
Importantly, LAT9997*, compared to LAT8881, is smaller, easier to manufacture and formulate, and scalable for widespread use, making it well-suited for both pandemic preparedness and seasonal infection control. With compatibility alongside existing antivirals, LAT9997* has the potential to become a cornerstone therapy in the management of severe respiratory infections.
Other Areas
- Expanding the Potential of LanCL-Targeting Medicines
The LanCL platform has wider applications beyond our lead focus areas. LAT8881 has shown potential in osteoarthritis. Early-stage studies also highlight opportunities in a range of conditions that impact negatively on Healthspan, such as sarcopenia. By expanding into new therapeutic areas, Lateral Pharma continues to unlock the broad potential of a Platform of LanCL-targeting medicines.