Two private companies I've heard speak this past year that possess distinct platform technologies. Both sciences should impact the neurological degenerative diseases though not limited in its potential, therapeutic applications.
Mitokor www.mitokor.com fascinates me the most and focuses upon mitochondrial applications into therapeutic research. The other is Medinox which focuses in on nitric oxide inhibitors. MitoKor is a unique biotechnology company pioneering therapeutic solutions for diseases of aging based on mitochondrial research.
"Mitochondria are the self-charging batteries and engines of cells, driving energy production, metabolism, and cellular life and death, as well as participating in other key signaling pathways. Mitochondria also house the "other" human genome, inherited only from the mother. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major contributing factor in the pathophysiology of major diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and type II diabetes mellitus. MitoKor and its wholly owned subsidiary, Mimotopes, have established core competencies in biotechnology, combinatorial drug discovery, and diagnostic development technologies, as well as in mitochondrial and nuclear proteomics and genomics, disease modeling and pharmacogenomics.
To date, MitoKor has established a collaborative research and development
partnership with Pfizer Inc. for target and drug discovery in certain
neurodegenerative diseases and a licensing agreement with SRL, Inc.,
Japan's largest clinical reference laboratory, to market its diagnostic
test for Alzheimer's disease to the Japanese market."
I sense nitric oxide inhibitors could have a tremendous impact towards many disease states, as well. Nitric oxide has implications by deterring super oxidative radicals that have been linked to plaque build ups in cardiovascular disease though I first heard of nitric oxide two years ago at a rheumatology conference. www.medinox.com
"To eliminate excessive NO yet preserve the low levels needed for normal physiology, Medinox has developed a novel series of proprietary low molecular-weight compounds (NOX compounds) which trap and neutralize NO. Because NOX compounds do not affect NOS activity and do not remove all nitric oxide molecules, NOX compounds do not produce the hypertension and side effects that are problematic with NOS inhibitors. This key feature makes NOX compounds distinct from NOS inhibitors. Medinox's NO-neutralizers thus represent the first small molecule approach to address NO overproduction without inhibiting the NO synthesis that is needed for normal body functions.
NOX compounds possess key physico-chemical properties that allow them to bind excessive NO and prevent the radical from interacting with other biomolecules. Once bound, the NO molecule is inactivated and unable to cause oxidative damage. Figure 1shows the binding of the NOX compound to NO:
Medinox is now seeking corporate partners to co-develop its novel and highly-promising NO-neutralizing compounds. There are many opportunities for Medinox's NO-scavenging technology because many major diseases -- ranging from arthritis and ophthalmic diseases to stroke and Alzheimer's disease -- involves an aspect of inflammation of which nitric oxide is a pivotal mediator.
Medinox seeks corporate partners having drug development expertise germane to the licensed indications as well as the available resources to conduct the clinical studies in the following disease areas:
Intradialytic Hypotension
Allograft Rejection
Hemorrhagic Shock
Sepsis" |
