The unique properties of rytvela target inflammation which is the root cause of PTB without affecting innate immunity
Rytvela is a first-in-class IL-1 receptor peptide antagonist in preclinical development. Acting upstream of standard of care PTB treatments such as tocolytics, rytvela interrupts acceleration of the birth cascade while reducing mediators implicated in fetal inflammatory injury.
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Rytvela disrupts acceleration of the birth cascade that causes preterm birth
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Innate immunity is preserved
Inflammation, microbial, viral or sterile, is the precursor to preterm birth. By modulating inflammation through allosteric inhibition of the interleukin IL-1 receptor without shutting down innate immunity mediated by NF-kB, rytvela has promise to extend at-risk pregnancies thereby improving health for mothers and their newborns.
Rytvela reduces premature births in models of microbial and sterile inflammation
Maternica has evaluated rytvela in animal models designed to reflect both microbial and sterile inflammation. Sterile inflammation was induced using IL-1β while microbial inflammation was induced by lipoteichoic acid (LPA, a major component of gram-positive bacteria such as group B streptococcus) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS, a major component of gram-negative bacterial such as E. coli). Regardless of how inflammation was induced, rytvela was significantly effective in reducing premature births.
Sterile
inflammation
Rytvela: 1mg/kg/12h (s.c)
Rytvela reduces prematurity in mice following induction by IL-1β
Gram +ve microbial
inflammation
Rytvela: 1mg/kg/12h (s.c)
Rytvela reduces prematurity in mice following induction by LTA (lipoteichoic acid, a major component of gram-positive bacteria such as group B streptococcus)
Gram -ve microbial
inflammation
Rytvela: 1mg/kg/12h (s.c)
Rytvela reduces prematurity in mice following induction by LPS (lipopolysaccharide, a major component of gram-negative bacteria such as E coli)
Rytvela improves neonate outcomes in models of prematurity
The benefits of reducing prematurity by rytvela treatment extends to neonates. Neonates from mice treated with rytvela demonstrated improved outcomes and protective effects on brain, lung, and other organs.
Brain weight
+ 15 days after birth
Rytvela preserves brain weight following induction by IL-1β in mice
Brain function
+ 30 days after birth
Rytvela preserves brain function as measured by Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP) following induction by IL-1β in mice
Lung development
+ 15 days after birth
Rytvela preserves lung function following induction by IL-1β in mice
Maternica is developing rytvela for the treatment and prevention of PTB
Given the high unmet medical need and the demonstrated efficacy of rytvela to extend gestation and improve neonatal outcomes in models of inflammation, Maternica plans to develop rytvela for the treatment and prevention of PTB. We believe our innovative approach to PTB, if approved by regulatory agencies, will be transformative in the field of obstetrics and maternal care, while significantly improving outcomes for pregnant mothers and their babies.