Evogene Ltd. and ELEO Inc. have launched a strategic collaboration to accelerate the discovery of next-generation oral small-molecule inhibitors targeting the PCSK9 pathway, a key driver in cholesterol regulation and cardiovascular disease.
The partnership combines Evogene’s AI-driven computational chemistry platform with ELEO’s proprietary biological expertise to pursue novel oral treatments for hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases — a market opportunity projected to exceed $23 billion by 2035.
Cardiovascular disease remains the world’s leading cause of death, with elevated LDL cholesterol recognized as one of the most significant modifiable risk factors. While existing PCSK9 therapies have delivered strong clinical results, their injectable delivery, high costs, and accessibility challenges have left a major gap for more convenient and broadly available treatment options.
The companies are targeting that unmet need by developing oral small molecules designed to offer improved potency, safety, bioavailability, and patient accessibility.
Under the collaboration, Evogene will deploy its proprietary ChemPass AI platform, a generative AI-powered computational chemistry engine designed to discover and optimize new small molecules. The platform will be used to generate and prioritize drug candidates based on key development characteristics, including oral effectiveness, selectivity, bioavailability, and drug-like properties.
ELEO will contribute its expertise in biological validation, including PCSK9 expression suppression models and screening capabilities, helping test and refine candidates generated through Evogene’s computational approach.
By integrating artificial intelligence with advanced biological research, the companies aim to shorten discovery timelines, improve candidate selection, and advance promising molecules toward preclinical development.
The collaboration could also open the door to future strategic opportunities, including clinical development programs, licensing agreements, and partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies seeking innovative cardiovascular treatments.
Kyungseop Ahn, CEO and Co-founder of ELEO Inc., commented: "At ELEO, our discovery approach is rooted in the rich bioactive potential of natural products. This foundation has led us to identify a PCSK9 inhibitor candidate with a novel mechanism for addressing hyperlipidemia and related cardiovascular diseases.
"We are excited to combine this biological insight with Evogene's ChemPass AI™ platform to advance a new generation of oral small-molecule PCSK9 inhibitor candidates that could meaningfully expand treatment options for patients with atherosclerosis."
Ofer Haviv, President and CEO of Evogene, stated: "This collaboration with ELEO represents a compelling opportunity to apply Evogene's advanced AI-driven computational capabilities to one of the most significant therapeutic areas in cardiovascular medicine.
"ELEO brings important biological expertise and a promising approach to targeting the PCSK9 pathway, while our ChemPass AI platform is uniquely positioned to design and optimize challenging small-molecule candidates. Together, we aim to advance differentiated, next-generation therapeutic candidates with significant potential value for future strategic partners and the global healthcare market."
