Research & Development
Since commencing lab operations in 1995, FibroGen has been dedicated to the pursuit of first-in-class therapeutics with the potential to address critical medical problems. Building on an original research focus in tissue fibrosis and a specific expertise in prolyl hydroxylase enzymes, FibroGen continues to expand its research and development efforts in the fields of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) biology under the guiding principle of addressing therapeutic areas with significant unmet medical need, and a validated development path to approval.
HIF Programs
Anemia: Despite availability of erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) for nearly two decades, the majority of patients with anemia are not adequately served, in part due to lack of access or general ineffectiveness of ESA therapy in chronic inflammatory conditions. FibroGen’s research in the area of HIF-mediated erythropoiesis seeks to expand access to anemia therapy with a safer, more effective, accessible, and affordable oral treatment. Read more
Cytoprotection/Inflammation: Protecting tissues from the damaging effects of oxygen deprivation and inflammation, such as that caused by heart attack, stroke, or acute kidney injury, has posed a major challenge in drug development. FibroGen is harnessing the cytoprotective aspects of HIF biology with novel therapies to address acute ischemic injury clinical and is exploring the potential for chronic HIF cytoprotection, particularly in neurodegenerative disease. Read more
CTGF Programs
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): CKD is a large and growing medical problem that has many origins, such as diabetes (e.g., diabetic kidney disease), other systemic diseases or heredity (e.g., FSGS), and organ transplant (chronic allograft nephropathy). FibroGen is targeting CTGF, a growth factor implicated in multiple pathological processes underlying CKD progression (e.g., fibrosis, hyperfiltration, proteinuria, hypertrophy, myofibroblast differentiation and microvascular leakage). A safe and effective therapy to delay or prevent progression to renal failure is greatly needed. Read more
Fibrotic Disease: Fibrosis, a pathological process of excessive and persistent scarring for which there are no approved therapies, plays a major role in diseases affecting millions of patients (e.g., diabetic kidney disease, liver fibrosis) and smaller patient populations (e.g., lung fibrosis, scleroderma, organ transplant). CTGF is the final common denominator in all forms of chronic fibrosis. FibroGen is pursuing anti-CTGF therapy for a number of fibrotic indications. Read more
Cancer: CTGF is implicated in multiple pathways (e.g., epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, cell adhesion) that contribute to cancer growth and metastasis. CTGF has now been implicated in many different human tumors or cancers that are found to have CTGF expression signifying its influence on the biology and progression of cancer and suggesting that inhibition of CTGF may be beneficial in these diseases. Read more
Recombinant Human Collagens and Gelatins
FibroGen is the only producer of recombinant human collagens and gelatins intended to replace similar animal- or human-derived materials currently used in a variety of medical, pharmaceutical, and consumer applications. Read more about our dermal filler program and other co-development opportunities. Read more
