A preview of the emerging health care companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group, "Building the Next-Generation of GPCR-Targeting Drugs," features profiles of Catena Pharmaceuticals, Dimerix Bioscience, Heptares Therapeutics and Trevena. Plus these Start-Ups Across Health Care: Carmat, Glycan Biosciences, Itero and MaRVis Technologies.

Catena Pharmaceuticals is seeking anti-angiogenic GPCR-antagonist compounds, and has a license to one that targets a subset of GPCRs specific for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). LPA is one of a family of fatty molecules called lysophospholipids that is generating increasing interest among scientists for their role in cell proliferation and inflammation. The company says its small molecules have shown early promise in a number of indications, from oncology to fibrosis and neuropathic pain. Catena will concentrate initially on developing antagonists to LPA receptors for the treatment of solid tumors.

One-third of marketed drugs hit G-protein coupled receptors, a group of cell-membrane bound receptors that are involved in almost every possible biological system. Drugs targeting GPCRs span most therapy areas, specialist or primary care, and may be small molecules, peptides, or large proteins. Despite their ubiquity, there's plenty of untapped potential too. Small wonder that start-ups continue to appear in this field, each with its own approach to improving existing drugs and finding new ones. We profile four in this issue.

In Vivo briefly describes these recently founded companies: Archer Pharmaceuticals, Arginetix, Carmat, Catena Pharmaceuticals, EnzymeRX, and P&H Therapeutics.