Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine identified in 1993. In addition to the large body of evidence supporting MIF as a key target for treating inflammation and fibrosis, new intracellular functions of MIF have been identified recently, including a role in the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome. MIF also plays a unique role in reducing sensitivity to steroids. Consequently, blocking MIF can enhance anti-inflammatory efficacy of steroids, which can result in reduced corticosteroid-steroid dosing in patients that now depend on high dose corticosteroid-steroid treatment.

Apaxen identifies and develops small molecules that block or degrade MIF. This platform approach allows for the development of a pipeline of novel therapeutics to treat a broad range of diseases that depend on prolonged MIF activity. This includes many inflammatory and inflammaging related diseases and auto-immune diseases.

Apaxen benefits from strategic collaborations with main academic research centers having translational expertise in MIF and NLRP3 Inflammasome biology and MIF-related diseases.