GRI Bio Announces Publication of Comprehensive Invariant NKT (iNKT) Cell Review in Frontiers in Immunology Demonstrating a Key Role of Type 1 iNKT Cells in Modulating Various Fibrotic Conditions

In several murine models of chronic inflammation and fibrosis, as well as in humans, it has been shown that iNKT cells are selectively activated in the disease setting

Data supports GRI Bio’s leading NKT regulation technology which targets the inflammatory cascade earlier to modulate disease progression

Company advancing toward launch of Phase 2a biomarker study evaluating GRI-0621 for the treatment of IPF before year end 2023

LA JOLLA, CA, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GRI Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ: GRI) (“GRI Bio” or the “Company”), a biotechnology company advancing an innovative pipeline of Natural Killer T (“NKT”) cell modulators for the treatment of inflammatory, fibrotic and autoimmune diseases, today announced the publication of an article that reviews data in both experimental models and in humans that suggest a key role of type 1 invariant NKT (iNKT) cell activation in the progression of inflammatory cascades leading to recruitment of neutrophils and activation of the inflammasome, macrophages, fibroblasts, and, ultimately, fibrosis. The manuscript titled, “Type 1 invariant natural killer T cells in chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis,” has been published in Frontiers in Immunology.¹

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are innate-like T cells that share properties of both NK cells and T lymphocytes. NKT cells are pre-loaded with cytokine message and respond quickly in immune responses, but also help to maintain and propagate chronic long term immune responses. They interact with and influence the activity of other cell types and are a functional link between the innate and adaptive immune systems. iNKT are pro-inflammatory effector T cells that accumulate in many models of chronic fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), lupus nephritis and NASH. Type 2 NKT cells are anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells that can reset unwanted immune responses that contribute to many autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. GRI has a robust portfolio of patented drug candidates that regulate NKT cells.

“There remains a significant unmet need with no existing therapeutic solutions that halt disease progression of fibrotic diseases such as IPF and NASH. This review provides valuable insight and is a step forward in attaining a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in progressive fibrotic disease. I am encouraged by the emerging experimental evidence that iNKT cells play an important role in chronic inflammation and fibrosis. I look forward to the continued advancements toward a potential therapeutic and ultimately address this significant unmet need for a solution for chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis,” commented Dr. Cormac McCarthy, Associate Professor of Medicine at University College Dublin, School of Medicine. and Consultant Respiratory Physician at St. Vincent's University Hospital.