New paper in Drug Discovery Today on HDAC inhibition and macrophage polarization in the context of infections.

We’re proud to share that two Akthelia Pharmaceuticals employees Helga Kristín Einarsdóttir and Sonja Srdanović are co-authors on a newly published scientific paper in Drug Discovery Today! The article, titled “Impact of HDAC inhibitors on macrophage polarization to enhance innate immunity against infections,” explores how a class of compounds called HDAC inhibitors could help the body’s first line of defence — the innate immune system — fight infections more effectively. Link here.

Macrophages are immune cells that can take on different roles in defending against disease. This paper reviews how epigenetic modulators like HDAC inhibitors can influence whether these cells behave in a more inflammatory or more healing mode — a discovery that could inspire new ways to boost the immune response in infections and immune-related conditions.

Importantly, this work is a product of the EU-funded IN-ARMOR programme, a collaborative European research initiative aimed at advancing innovative approaches to improve immune defence and tackle unmet medical needs through interdisciplinary science.

This publication highlights the growing impact of collaborative science across institutions and demonstrates how scientific insights into the immune system could someday inform better therapies for infection and inflammation.