LYCA

Lycia Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company pioneering novel therapeutics based on its proprietary lysosomal targeting chimera (LYTAC) platform. The company is based in South San Francisco, CA. The company focuses on selectively degrading extracellular and membrane-bound disease-causing proteins by harnessing the cell's lysosomal degradation pathways, targeting proteins involved in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Its modular LYTAC technology enables the design of degraders that bind specific pathogenic proteins and internalizing receptors, facilitating their lysosomal clearance. Lycia also develops catalytic degraders capable of repeatedly degrading multiple copies of target proteins. Lead programs include LCA-0061, a catalytic degrader targeting immunoglobulin E for allergic diseases, and LCA-0321, a LYTAC degrader aimed at eliminating autoantibodies against the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor to treat Graves' disease and thyroid eye disease. The company was founded in 2019 by Carolyn R. Bertozzi. Aetna Wun Trombley has been the CEO of the company since 2020.