Sisu Pharma has developed its HI-LiTe platform with the unique ability of directly targeting the transcription factor Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1). HSF1 has been validated as a valuable drug target with roles in cancer, neurodegenerative disease and infections ( >1100 publications,  >50 clinical trials).

Historically is has been considered “undruggable” due to its largely disordered structure and the fact that its activity not directly measurable. Consequently it has been indirectly targeted by developing inhibitors of HSF1 downstream targets (Hsp90, Hsp70) or through phenotypic screens which have led to discovery of compounds with broad or unknown mechanisms of action.

Sisu Pharma directly targets HSF1.