Toronto, Ontario — December 18, 2025 — Leads & Copy — InStatin, an investee company of Therma Bright Inc. and a biotechnology firm focused on inhaled statin therapies for respiratory diseases, has reported significant progress between June 2024 and December 2025. Despite a challenging investment landscape, InStatin has refined its clinical strategy, advanced its lead molecule, and expanded its leadership and advisory teams.
According to InStatin’s CEO, Andy Clark, the company has made meaningful progress across its pipeline, team, and strategy, despite capital headwinds. Clark added that the decision to broaden the focus to include Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as a lead indication, while continuing to include asthma in its development plans, paves the way for addressing two major unmet needs with the same dosing and product. He noted that the preclinical data for INS-102 gives them strong momentum heading into 2026.
Following input from its expanded Clinical Advisory Board, InStatin has designated COPD as its lead clinical indication for inhaled statin therapy, based on clear unmet medical and commercial needs. The company has also identified INS-102 as its new lead statin candidate after preclinical studies showed improved pharmacokinetics (PK) and longer lung residence time compared to earlier candidates. A proprietary dry powder formulation of INS-102 has successfully undergone PK testing in animals.
Dr. Amir Zeki, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer, stated that transitioning to INS-102 was a data-driven decision. He noted that it enhances the lung retention profile in preclinical models and positions the company well for clinical studies. Ongoing pre-clinical studies will further elucidate its anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory potential relevant to both asthma and COPD.
InStatin has also added two senior executives: Samantha Miller (Corporate Development) and Johanna Sporrer (Clinical and Translational Medicine). The Advisory Board has been strengthened with the addition of Professor Sir Peter Barnes, Professor Gunther Hochhaus, and Dr. Jeffry Weers.
InStatin’s CEO expressed honor in welcoming world-class advisors and talented executives to the team, noting that their deep expertise in pulmonary drug development and clinical strategy is invaluable as the company advances its lead candidate toward the clinic.
Detailed clinical development plans for COPD and asthma are in place, and an agreement is being pursued with Kindeva Drug Delivery to develop nebulizer and pMDI formulations, with deferred payment until funding is secured.
In addition to two licensed patents under international examination, InStatin has filed a new provisional patent on novel inhaled statin formulations invented by Dr. Jeffrey Weers. The IP team is actively prosecuting these assets.
InStatin is pursuing a $35 million funding round in 2026 to advance to proof-of-concept clinical studies. The company will present at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in January 2026, the RESI Conference, and the UC Davis Biotech Innovation Gallery. It was also featured at the Respiratory Innovation Summit during the American Thoracic Society conference in May 2025.
Samantha Miller, Head of Corporate Development, said that the company is actively engaging with investors to secure the capital needed to reach clinical proof-of-concept. Miller added that presenting at premier healthcare investment conferences provides an excellent platform to share the company’s story and progress with the investment community.
InStatin is focused on advancing its inhaled statin therapy toward clinical proof-of-concept in COPD and asthma, leveraging a strengthened team, clear clinical strategy, and ongoing investor engagement.
InStatin is a preclinical-stage biotech company dedicated to repurposing statins for inhaled delivery to treat inflammatory respiratory diseases, beginning with COPD and asthma.
Therma Bright is pleased to report the progress at InStatin, which remains committed to advancing towards clinical trials and realizing its potential to address significant unmet needs in the treatment of respiratory diseases.
Therma Bright Inc. develops and partners on cutting-edge diagnostic and medical device technologies that address key healthcare challenges.
Therma Bright Inc.
Rob Fia, CEO
rfia@thermabright.com
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Source: Therma Bright Inc.
