Nereus Pharmaceuticals
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Pharmaceutical |
| Fate | Acquired by Triphase Research and Development in 2012 |
| Products | Plinabulin (NPI-2358), NPI-1342, Salinosporamide A (NPI-0052) |
| Parent | Triphase Research and Development (since 2012) |
Nereus Pharmaceuticals was a pharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming natural products sourced from marine microbes and other natural origins into small molecule drugs. The enterprise primarily targeted therapies for cancer. In 2012, Nereus was acquired by Triphase Research and Development.
Drug discovery
Up until 2004, Nereus obtained licenses from the University of California, San Diego to access and culture marine microorganisms, with an emphasis on bacteria within the Actinomycetia group as well as fungi. From that point forward, the firm focused on bringing bioactive natural compounds to market. By mid-2007, two molecules had progressed to Phase I clinical evaluations: NPI-2358 and NPI-0052.
- Plinabulin (NPI-2358) is a derivative of halimide, initially isolated from the fungus Aspergillus. It acts by selectively disrupting tumor blood vessels through microtubule targeting.
- NPI-1342 (an analog of Acanthoic Acid, NPI-1302a-3) is an orally administered small molecule derived from plants that modulates the NF_kB transcription factor pathway. It demonstrates notable efficacy against cancer and inflammatory conditions and is being developed for indications including multiple myeloma and glioblastoma.
- Salinosporamide A (NPI-0052), sourced from Salinispora tropica—a marine bacterium genetically identified in 2005—is a powerful inhibitor of the proteasome.