The small molecule LOXL2 inhibitor SNT-5382 reduces cardiac fibrosis and achieves strong clinical target engagement

Abstract Cardiac remodeling involves myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis which impairs cardiac function and, ultimately, contributes to heart failure (HF) and mortality. Fibrosis largely develops due to excessive matrix deposition and lysyl oxidase(s)-dependent collagen cross-linking. In particular,...

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Main Authors: Lara Perryman, Alison Findlay, Jana Baskar, Brett Charlton, Jonathan Foot, Ross Hamilton, Dieter Hamprecht, Amar Joshi, Jessica Stolp, Craig Turner, Amna Zahoor, Wenbin Zhou, Begoña López, Susana Ravassa, Arantxa González, Wolfgang Jarolimek
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06312-2
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author Lara Perryman
Alison Findlay
Jana Baskar
Brett Charlton
Jonathan Foot
Ross Hamilton
Dieter Hamprecht
Amar Joshi
Jessica Stolp
Craig Turner
Amna Zahoor
Wenbin Zhou
Begoña López
Susana Ravassa
Arantxa González
Wolfgang Jarolimek
author_facet Lara Perryman
Alison Findlay
Jana Baskar
Brett Charlton
Jonathan Foot
Ross Hamilton
Dieter Hamprecht
Amar Joshi
Jessica Stolp
Craig Turner
Amna Zahoor
Wenbin Zhou
Begoña López
Susana Ravassa
Arantxa González
Wolfgang Jarolimek
author_sort Lara Perryman
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Cardiac remodeling involves myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis which impairs cardiac function and, ultimately, contributes to heart failure (HF) and mortality. Fibrosis largely develops due to excessive matrix deposition and lysyl oxidase(s)-dependent collagen cross-linking. In particular, lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) has a critical role in disease progression, representing a promising therapeutic target and rationale for the development of novel, efficacious LOXL2 inhibitor(s). Herein, we describe the pre-clinical validation of a potent small molecule LOXL2 inhibitor as an anti-fibrotic agent, along with its clinical suitability, as high levels of target engagement were sustained in Phase 1 clinical trials while also being well tolerated. We show that LOXL2 concentration is increased in the plasma of patients with HF due to existing hypertension or aortic stenosis. Plasma LOXL2 concentration were correlated with the left ventricular mass index. A novel LOXL2 inhibitor, SNT-5382, was characterised, including in vitro and in vivo assessment of potency and mode of action, which showed beneficial drug-like properties. Preclinically, SNT-5382 reduced fibrosis and improved cardiac function in a myocardial infarction (MI) mouse model. Phase 1 clinical studies demonstrated a good safety and a PK profile capable of eliciting high and prolonged LOXL2 inhibition following repeated once daily oral dosing. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of LOXL2 in the development of HF. SNT-5382 exhibited potent anti-fibrotic efficacy in a MI model and sustained clinical target engagement. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry identifier: ACTRN12617001564347. Registered 21 November 2017- registered, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12617001564347
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spelling doaj-art-edfd80e5872b411daeac90b48295ab132025-08-20T03:03:32ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-06312-2The small molecule LOXL2 inhibitor SNT-5382 reduces cardiac fibrosis and achieves strong clinical target engagementLara Perryman0Alison Findlay1Jana Baskar2Brett Charlton3Jonathan Foot4Ross Hamilton5Dieter Hamprecht6Amar Joshi7Jessica Stolp8Craig Turner9Amna Zahoor10Wenbin Zhou11Begoña López12Susana Ravassa13Arantxa González14Wolfgang Jarolimek15SyntaraSyntaraSyntaraSyntaraSyntaraSyntaraSyntaraSyntaraSyntaraSyntaraSyntaraSyntaraProgram of Cardiovascular Diseases, CIMA Universidad de Navarra and IdiSNA Program of Cardiovascular Diseases, CIMA Universidad de Navarra and IdiSNA Program of Cardiovascular Diseases, CIMA Universidad de Navarra and IdiSNA SyntaraAbstract Cardiac remodeling involves myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis which impairs cardiac function and, ultimately, contributes to heart failure (HF) and mortality. Fibrosis largely develops due to excessive matrix deposition and lysyl oxidase(s)-dependent collagen cross-linking. In particular, lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) has a critical role in disease progression, representing a promising therapeutic target and rationale for the development of novel, efficacious LOXL2 inhibitor(s). Herein, we describe the pre-clinical validation of a potent small molecule LOXL2 inhibitor as an anti-fibrotic agent, along with its clinical suitability, as high levels of target engagement were sustained in Phase 1 clinical trials while also being well tolerated. We show that LOXL2 concentration is increased in the plasma of patients with HF due to existing hypertension or aortic stenosis. Plasma LOXL2 concentration were correlated with the left ventricular mass index. A novel LOXL2 inhibitor, SNT-5382, was characterised, including in vitro and in vivo assessment of potency and mode of action, which showed beneficial drug-like properties. Preclinically, SNT-5382 reduced fibrosis and improved cardiac function in a myocardial infarction (MI) mouse model. Phase 1 clinical studies demonstrated a good safety and a PK profile capable of eliciting high and prolonged LOXL2 inhibition following repeated once daily oral dosing. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of LOXL2 in the development of HF. SNT-5382 exhibited potent anti-fibrotic efficacy in a MI model and sustained clinical target engagement. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry identifier: ACTRN12617001564347. Registered 21 November 2017- registered, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12617001564347https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06312-2Heart failureLysyl oxidasesLOXL2 small molecule inhibitorAnti-fibrotic therapyFibrosis
spellingShingle Lara Perryman
Alison Findlay
Jana Baskar
Brett Charlton
Jonathan Foot
Ross Hamilton
Dieter Hamprecht
Amar Joshi
Jessica Stolp
Craig Turner
Amna Zahoor
Wenbin Zhou
Begoña López
Susana Ravassa
Arantxa González
Wolfgang Jarolimek
The small molecule LOXL2 inhibitor SNT-5382 reduces cardiac fibrosis and achieves strong clinical target engagement
Scientific Reports
Heart failure
Lysyl oxidases
LOXL2 small molecule inhibitor
Anti-fibrotic therapy
Fibrosis
title The small molecule LOXL2 inhibitor SNT-5382 reduces cardiac fibrosis and achieves strong clinical target engagement
title_full The small molecule LOXL2 inhibitor SNT-5382 reduces cardiac fibrosis and achieves strong clinical target engagement
title_fullStr The small molecule LOXL2 inhibitor SNT-5382 reduces cardiac fibrosis and achieves strong clinical target engagement
title_full_unstemmed The small molecule LOXL2 inhibitor SNT-5382 reduces cardiac fibrosis and achieves strong clinical target engagement
title_short The small molecule LOXL2 inhibitor SNT-5382 reduces cardiac fibrosis and achieves strong clinical target engagement
title_sort small molecule loxl2 inhibitor snt 5382 reduces cardiac fibrosis and achieves strong clinical target engagement
topic Heart failure
Lysyl oxidases
LOXL2 small molecule inhibitor
Anti-fibrotic therapy
Fibrosis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06312-2
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