# Development of a novel therapeutic for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy and renal fibrosis

> **NIH NIH R44** · EPIGEN BIOSCIENCES, INC. · 2020 · $999,838

## Abstract

Summary
 The ultimate goal of our project is to develop novel therapeutics effective in chronic kidney diseases,
such as diabetic nephropathy (DN), that normally develop fibrosis, lead to end stage renal disease and require
renal replacement therapy. DN is a complication of diabetes and is characterized by thickening of the
glomerular basement membrane and mesangial expansion, with progression into glomerulosclerosis, tubular
necrosis, and interstitial fibrosis that ultimately results in renal failure. Around 177 million people have diabetes
mellitus worldwide, and it has been estimated that this number will increase to 360 million by 2030. Of these
people, about 20-30% are expected to develop DN.
 This SBIR phase 2B application builds on the results obtained in phase 2 where novel and selective
small molecule antagonists of the lysophosphatidic acid receptor subtype 1 (LPA1R) were optimized for in vitro
potency, ADME, drug-like properties and pharmacokinetics. EPGN696 emerged as an optimized lead
compound which is effective in preserving proximal tubule structure and function, reducing both tubule
interstitial fibrosis and macrophage infiltration in a mouse model of renal fibrosis (ureteral unilateral obstruction
- UUO). LPA1R antagonism in this model led to marked reductions in pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory
markers, including TNF- α, TGF-β, CTGF, PDGF, α-SMA, Col-IV. In a mouse model of type 1 diabetic kidney
disease (F1Akita), EPGN696 provided organ protection by preventing and reversing mesangial matrix
expansion. However, measures of urinary albumin excretion and albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) values,
which are important functional read outs in clinical practice, are not consistent in mouse models of DN. In
addition, preliminary safety assessment in a non-GLP 14-day study in rats indicated EPGN696 was well
tolerated up to 300 mg/kg dose.
 In this application, we propose to evaluate EPGN696 in rat models of type 1 (STZ) and type 2 (ZDF)
diabetic kidney disease, which reflect the typical changes in urinary albumin excretion and ACR observed in
humans. Moreover, the time course of robust ACR increases and plasma creatinine decreases in these rat
models have been documented by our collaborative team. Prevention and reversal studies, either alone or in
combination with a standard of care agent, Losartan are planned. EPGN696 will be evaluated in rat DN
models, ZDF and STZ, following determination of systemic exposure to select a suitable therapeutic dose, in
collaboration with Professors Kumar Sharma and Nigel Calcutt. Urinary metabolomic analysis will be
performed to identify pathways that are elevated in the pathological state and can be modulated by EPGN696.
Existing human metabolomic data will be compared with the rat data to establish common pathways and
metabolites that could be useful clinically in stratifying patients for drug therapy. Additionally, IND-enabling
studies will be conducted according to guidance received by the FDA. Th...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9984161
- **Project number:** 5R44DK092005-06
- **Recipient organization:** EPIGEN BIOSCIENCES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Kumar Sharma
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $999,838
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-03-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9984161

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9984161, Development of a novel therapeutic for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy and renal fibrosis (5R44DK092005-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9984161. Licensed CC0.

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