Lisa Patel, CEO of Istesso, the adaptive repair company, visited the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to meet researchers involved in the innovative phase 2 IST-03 study investigating a potential new treatment for sarcopenia associated with rheumatoid arthritis. 

Lisa met with Professor John Isaacs and colleagues involved in the development and delivery of the IST-03 study. During her visit, she delivered a scientific presentation to Newcastle’s extended rheumatology team and members of the Research Directorate, discussing the novel science behind leramistat and Istesso’s pioneering approach to adaptive repair. 

Leramistat is the lead candidate from Istesso’s novel class of Mitochondrial Complex I Modulators (MCMs). These oral small molecules are designed to activate conserved adaptive biology involved in tissue repair and regeneration. IST-03 is evaluating the effects of leramistat on muscle quality, repair and function in people living with rheumatoid arthritis-related sarcopenia. 

“This trial marks an important step in evaluating whether leramistat’s adaptive repair mechanism can translate into meaningful clinical benefit for people with sarcopenia. By activating the body’s own conserved repair biology, we hope to move beyond symptom management and help people stay active and independent for longer.”

– Lisa Patel, CEO of Istesso.

The study brings together Istesso, the NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF): Newcastle, the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC): Newcastle, Newcastle University and The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 

The CRF is supporting delivery of the study through its extensive experience in delivering novel therapies. Researchers are utilising the CRF’s specialist facilities such as advanced imaging technologies as well as their expertise in muscle biopsy studies, to better understand how leramistat may affect muscle tissue and repair mechanisms.   

The trial also benefits from the BRC’s expertise in sarcopenia and ageing research as well as academic leadership from Professor John Isaacs, Professor of Rheumatology at Newcastle University and Chief Investigator for the study, and Professor Miles Witham, Professor of Trials for Older People.  

Professor Isaacs, who is also Director of Research for Newcastle Hospitals and Deputy Director of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre:Newcastle said: 

“This trial marks an important step in evaluating whether leramistat’s adaptive repair mechanism can translate into meaningful clinical benefit for people with sarcopenia. By activating the body’s own conserved repair biology, we hope to move beyond symptom management and help people stay active and independent for longer.

We are delighted to welcome Lisa to Newcastle and to continue building our relationship with Istesso through this exciting collaboration. 

This study brings together Istesso’s innovative science with the expertise of the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre and Clinical Research Facility in delivering complex early phase clinical research. 

Working with commercial partners such as Istesso is an integral part of the wider NIHR mission. These collaborations help us translate scientific discoveries into potential new treatments and make innovative therapies available to patients as quickly and efficiently as possible. We look forward to continuing to work together as this promising research develops.”  

Lisa’s visit provided an opportunity to strengthen the partnership between Newcastle’s research community and Istesso, with discussions focusing on the progress of this study and its potential for the future.  

Together we share a commitment to the development of innovative treatments and ensuring patients can benefit from cutting-edge sarcopenia research delivered through our world-leading clinical research infrastructure.

[Pictured left to right: Professor John Isaacs, Professor of Rheumatology at Newcastle University and Chief Investigator for the study; Lisa Patel, CEO and co-founder of Istesso; Professor Miles Witham, Professor of Trials for Older People]