Reata Pharmaceuticals

Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Irving, Texas. Founded in 2002, Reata is currently developing oral anti-inflammatory drugs targeting Nrf2, a master regulator of the antioxidant response in humans. Through its control of the body's production of antioxidants, Nrf2 protects against a broad range of inflammation and oxidative stress related diseases, including renal disease,  cancer, cardiovascular diseases,  and neurological diseases (eg: multiple sclerosis,  amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,  alzheimer's disease.

Bardoxolone Methyl
Reata's lead program, bardoxolone methyl, is the first antioxidant inflammation modulator (AIM) to enter clinical trials. The drug has been shown to significantly increase estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and improve several other markers of kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Bardoxolone methyl has been advanced to late-stage, pivotal clinical trials in patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.

Data from Phase 2 clinical studies of bardoxolone methyl have demonstrated that the drug is:
 * Producing a significant increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which is consistent in magnitude and in the high degree of patient response.
 * Improving CKD stage (ie: from Stage 4 to Stage 3) in the majority of patients.
 * Improving multiple additional measures of renal function, such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum phosphorus, uric acid, and magnesium.
 * Well tolerated.
 * Suitable for once-daily dosing.
 * Targeting Nrf2 pathway and supporting an anti-inflammatory mechanism.

About Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a common complication of diabetes and hypertension that affects over 26 million Americans. It is a progressive condition that ultimately leads to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and the need for dialysis or transplant, and is associated with dramatic increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease. Current standard of care can slow the progression of the disease, but no treatments are currently available to stop it. Due to the high prevalence of the condition, and absence of disease modifying therapy, CKD represents an area of significant unmet medical need.

Pipeline
Reata is developing a series of other antioxidant inflammation modulators (AIMs) with activity against a variety of intractable diseases. These unique drugs help to restore the balance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant signaling molecules within the cell by mimicking the body's own natural regulators of inflammation. By increasing the production of enzymes that maintain the antioxidant buffering system within the cell, they prevent harmful inflammation and the associated oxidative stress and organ/DNA damage caused by high concentrations of oxygen and nitrogen radicals. Also, by activating enzymes that maintain the antioxidant buffering system, they increase the body's ability to protect against tissue damage from toxic insults, chronic health problems, and aging.

Partnerships
January 7, 2010 - Reata announced that they entered into a licensing agreement with Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd. The agreement provided Kyowa Hakko Kirin with the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize bardoxolone methyl for CKD and related indications in Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, and other select Southeast Asian countries. In return, Reata is eligible to receive up to $272 million in up-front fees and milestone payments, in addition to escalating double-digit royalties from sales in the licensed territories.

September 23, 2010 - Abbott and Reata announced that they entered into a collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize bardoxolone methyl. Under the agreement, Reata granted Abbott exclusive rights to develop and commercialize bardoxolone methyl outside the U.S., excluding Asian markets outlined in the January 7th agreement with Kyowa Hakko Kirin. In exchange, Reata received upfront and near-term cash payments of $450 million for the licensing rights and a minority equity stake in the company. Additionally, Reata will receive milestone payments upon completion of certain development and approval objectives for bardoxolone in the licensed territories.