Foldikines™: Reprogramming the Immune System Like Software Code
Cytokines are the immune system’s messengers, sending signals to direct immune responses.
But in many diseases, these signals go wrong, much like a malfunctioning software that starts producing errors. Orikine Bio’s Foldikine™ platform works by engineering cytokines that act like "patches" in a computer program, fixing the faulty signals and restoring the immune system to its proper function.
By creating bi- specific cytokines — cytokines engineered to carry two specific sets of instructions directed to particular cells — Foldikines™ allow for highly targeted reprogramming of immune cells. This precision means we can direct the immune system to attack where it’s needed while avoiding the off-target effects and toxicities that often come with conventional cytokines and alternative modalities such as small molecules and antibodies.
Just as a software patch fixes only the parts of the program that are broken, Foldikines™ direct their effects to the specific immune cells causing disease. This reduces unwanted side effects and ensures the immune system functions correctly.
Foldikines™ are designed to be stable and long-lasting, minimizing the need for frequent doses — like well-written code that runs efficiently without constant updates.
Combining two cytokines in one Foldikines™ allows us to program multiple responses at once, offering a range of possibilities that single cytokine therapies or other drug modalities can’t achieve.
By delivering precise therapeutic effects at lower doses, Foldikines™ reduce toxicity while boosting treatment effectiveness — much like optimizing software code to perform tasks with fewer resources.
Programs to Rewrite Immune Responses
Orikine Bio's Foldikine™ platform powers a robust pipeline of therapies that "reprogram" immune responses, targeting a variety of immune-mediated diseases such as autoimmune disorders and chronic inflammation. Our lead program, ORK1, focuses on reprogramming macrophages to treat Th1 inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. Additional programs address Th2-driven diseases and the modulation of Treg cells for autoimmune disorders.
Our pipeline is advancing rapidly through preclinical stages, with ORK1 poised for IND-enabling studies. Through their unique ability to "reprogram" immune responses at their source, Foldikines™ are unlocking new frontiers in immune therapy — correcting dysfunction and bringing balance back to the immune system.
