The Science

CD38 is a NAD+ consuming enzyme ubiquitously expressed on immune cells and its expression increases during aging and in several pathological conditions, including metabolic and autoimmune diseases, as well as inflammation (1,2,3). CD38 is considered one of the primary drivers of age-related NAD+ decline, a causal factor in the development of numerous age-associated diseases (4,5). Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of CD38 NADase activity not only extends healthspan and lifespan during healthy aging (6), but also shows efficacy in several disease models of insulin resistance (7), rheumatoid arthritis (8) and fibrosis  (9). At Napa Therapeutics, we are developing innovative small molecules CD38 inhibitors that offer safety and efficacy in treating age-related diseases.