Higher Medicine Announces Exclusive Option Agreement with Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures for Epigenetic Drug Candidate Screening Technology
Higher Medicine Inc. today announced it has entered into an exclusive option agreement with Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures (JHTV), the commercialization arm of Johns Hopkins University, to advance development of a proprietary histone reporter allele platform for epigenetic drug discovery.
The optioned technology enables dynamic, high-resolution screening of chromatin-modifying compounds in both in vitro and in vivo models. It is designed to accelerate the identification of small molecules that can reverse transcriptional dysregulation caused by genetic and epigenetic mutations.
This technology uses a simple DNA construct to report on the methylation state of a specific gene in real time. When a defined epigenetic threshold is reached, the construct undergoes a structural change, offering a powerful, phenotypic readout to identify compounds that may restore normal gene regulation. This technology is progressing toward meaningful clinical translation.
This agreement marks a significant milestone in Higher Medicine’s strategy to advance phenotypically-derisked therapies that target the root causes of epigenetic disorders, utilizing a robust, mechanism-driven discovery platform.
About Higher Medicine Inc.
Higher Medicine is developing small-molecule therapies that target epigenetic dysregulation in rare neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. By focusing on the core mechanisms of gene expression and chromatin function, the company aims to develop effective, disease-modifying treatments for conditions such as Kabuki Syndrome.