Greg, According to BCRX's 10-K, BCX34 is an inhibitor of an exzyme involved with DNA building block (nucleosides). It primarly works on dividing cells, including T-Cells of the immune system. It is not at all related to retinoids or rexinoids which interact with RAR and RXR transcription factors.
I know of no other company with rexinoids in clinical trials and the companies with the most well know retinoids (Retin-A, Renova, Accutane, Tazrtotene) are JNJ, Roche, and AGN.
Here's info on BCX34:
BCX-34 and certain other purine nucleoside phosphorylase ("PNP") inhibitor
compounds. PNP is an enzyme believed to be involved in T-cell proliferation.
BioCryst's lead immunological drug program targets T-cell proliferative
disorders, which arise when T-cells, immune system cells that normally fight
infection, attack normal body cells or multiply uncontrollably. These disorders
are varied and include CTCL (a severe form of cancer), psoriasis, transplant
rejection and certain autoimmune diseases. BioCryst has designed and synthesized
several chemically distinct classes of compounds which inhibit PNP, an enzyme
believed to be involved in T-cell proliferation. |
