VX 765

VX-765 is an orally-absorbed pro-drug of VRT-043198, a potent and selective inhibitor of ICE/caspase-1 sub-family caspases. It has been shown to reduce disease severity and the expression of inflammatory mediators in models of rheumatoid arthritis and skin inflammation, suggesting that it may be useful for treatment of inflammatory diseases.

VX-765 is a potent and selective inhibitor of ICE/caspase-1 sub-family caspases. In preclinical trials, VX-765 was efficiently converted to VRT-043198 when administered orally to mice and inhibited LPS-induced cytokine secretion. The result was a blocking of IL-1beta and IL-18 secretion, with out much effect on the release of several other cytokines, including IL-1{alpha}, tumor necrosis factor-{alpha}, IL-6 and IL-8. There was also no demonstrable activity in cellular models of apoptosis and it did not affect the proliferation of activated primary T-cells or T-cell lines.