Reata Pharmaceuticals

Bardoxolone methyl was one of the first of the class of synthetic triterpenoids to be studied in the clinic. It has been evaluated in Phase 1 studies for cancer,[6] Phase 2 and 3 studies for chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes,[7][8] and is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 study for pulmonary arterial hypertension.[9][10][11]

Omaveloxolone (RTA 408) is a second generation member of the synthetic oleanane triterpenoid compounds and currently in clinical development. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that RTA 408 possesses antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities,[12][13] as well as the potential to improve mitochondrial bioenergetics.[14] Because of the broad applicability of such effects across many diseases, RTA 408 is currently under clinical investigation in several Phase 2 clinical studies including immunooncology,[15] corneal endothelial cell loss associated with cataract surgery[16] Friedreich’s ataxia,[17] and mitochondrial myopathies.[18][19]

Reata is also actively engaged in the discovery of small molecule disease-modifying drugs that function by stabilizing the normal three-dimensional structure of target proteins or generally enhancing the folding environment of the cell. Defects in protein folding underlie a large number of genetic diseases including certain forms of cancer, familial Alzheimer's disease, and cystic fibrosis. Protein folding defects are also believed to play important roles in the development of non-inherited forms of many of these diseases.