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Can targeting IRhom2 unlock a new generation of autoimmune disease treatments?
This week on Leading Beyond The Lab, Lawrence Rose sat down with Jan Poth and Jens Ruhe of SciRhom, discussing a new therapeutic approach focused on IRhom2 and TACE inhibition in autoimmune disease.
The conversation explored the scientific origins of the company, lessons from failed inflammatory pathway inhibitors, and the challenge of building a biotech platform in one of the toughest funding environments in recent years.
In this episode, Jan Poth and Jens Ruhe cover:
• Why previous TACE inhibitors failed and how targeting IRhom2 could offer a more selective approach to inflammatory diseases
• The scientific breakthrough that convinced the founding team IRhom2 could be druggable despite industry skepticism at the time (Carl Blobel, Hospital for Special Surgery)
• Why combining multiple inflammatory pathways may be necessary to move beyond the efficacy ceiling seen with TNF and IL-6 inhibitors
• How the company secured an oversubscribed Series A after speaking with more than 150 investors over two years, with backing from Wellington Partners, Hadean Ventures, Kurma Partners, Andera Partners, MIG Capital, Bayern Kapital, and HTGF
• The roadmap for S878, expectations for the upcoming Phase I trial in rheumatoid arthritis patients, and the long-term ambition to become the defining company in IRhom2 therapeutics.
This episode offers a detailed look into modern biotech company building, translational immunology, and the realities of advancing a first-in-class therapeutic platform from concept to clinic. If you are interested in autoimmune disease innovation, antibody development, biotech financing, or platform company strategy, this conversation is well worth your time.
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Jan Poth & Jens Ruhe
CEO & COO at SciRhom
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-poth-a79424136/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jens-ruhe/
Lawrence Rose
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerose/
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to immune system complexity and inflammatory disease challenges
01:38 Podcast introduction and overview of SciRhom’s approach
02:30 The origins of targeting IRhom2 and TACE
05:20 The founding of SciRhom and early scientific conviction
06:39 Discovering IRhom2 surface accessibility with Carl Blobel
08:26 Combining inflammatory pathway inhibition
12:14 Complexity of the immune system and autoimmune disease treatment
14:20 Why single pathway inhibitors reach an efficacy ceiling
18:15 Raising a successful Series A in a difficult biotech market
20:23 Overview of lead candidate S878 and upcoming Phase I trial
24:15 Fundraising challenges and early investor support from HTGF
31:47 Key milestones and expectations for Phase I readouts
34:22 Building a pipeline around IRhom2 biology
35:24 Balancing speed, capital efficiency, and scientific rigor
39:55 Founder dynamics and collaborative decision-making
43:12 Bringing commercial development expertise into biotech strategy
49:11 Balancing patient impact with commercial success
49:45 Long-term vision for SciRhom and IRhom2 therapeutics
52:30 AI, technology, and reducing drug development costs
55:11 Shared mission and improving outcomes for autoimmune disease patients
56:34 Closing remarks
#LeadingBeyondTheLab #ARTOTalent #Biotech #Immunology #AutoimmuneDisease #DrugDevelopment #AntibodyTherapeutics #RheumatoidArthritis #LifeSciences
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