Production / Operations
Therma Bright Inc. Investee Company, InStatin Expands its Inhaled Statin Programs to include COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) as its Lead Indication.

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Executive Summary
- InStatin announced a strategic shift to focus on COPD as its lead indication and introduced INS‑102 as its new lead inhaled statin candidate.
- The company expanded its senior management and advisory board, adding two executives and three renowned pulmonary experts.
- InStator is pursuing a $35 million financing round in 2026 to fund proof‑of‑concept clinical studies and will present at major investor conferences in early 2026.
Key Details
- Lead Indication Shift: COPD designated as primary clinical target based on advisory board input; asthma remains a secondary focus.
- New Lead Molecule: INS‑102 identified in preclinical work, showing improved pharmacokinetics and longer lung residence versus prior candidates; dry‑powder formulation successfully tested in animal PK studies.
- Scientific Commentary: Dr. Amir Zeki (CSMO) highlighted enhanced lung retention and potential anti‑inflammatory/bronchodilatory effects of INS‑102.
- Team Additions:
- Samantha Miller – Corporate Development (Senior Executive).
- Johanna Sporrer – Clinical & Translational Medicine (Senior Executive).
- Advisory Board: Prof. Sir Peter Barnes, Prof. Gunther Hochhaus, Dr. Jeffry Weers.
- Clinical & CMC Plans: Detailed development plans for COPD and asthma established; partnership discussions with Kindeva Drug Delivery for nebulizer and pMDI formulations (deferred payment pending funding).
- Intellectual Property: Two licensed patents under international examination plus a new provisional patent on novel inhaled statin formulations filed by Dr. Jeffrey Weers.
- Fundraising Goal: Targeting $35 million in 2026 to advance to proof‑of‑concept clinical trials.
- Investor Visibility: Scheduled presentations at JP Morgan Healthcare Conference (Jan 2026), RESI Conference, UC Davis Biotech Innovation Gallery; recent feature at Respiratory Innovation Summit (May 2025).
Notable Quotes
“Despite capital headwinds, we have made disciplined and meaningful progress across our pipeline, team, and strategy,” – Andy Clark, CEO, InStatin.
“Transitioning to INS‑102 was a data‑driven decision… positions us well for clinical studies,” – Dr. Amir Zeki, Chief Scientific & Medical Officer.
“We are actively engaging with investors to secure the capital needed to reach clinical proof‑of‑concept,” – Samantha Miller, Head of Corporate Development.
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Jun 23, 2026 · 06:31