Technology Opportunities

Novel approach using low molecular weight antioxidants

Highlights

• The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2040, as a result of a growing ageing population, neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) will have overtaken cancer to become the world’s second leading cause of death, after cardiovascular disease. However, governments and industry have yet to make a major commitment to treating NDDs.
• Maintaining the balance of oxidants/antioxidants determines the redox-state in the body. Lowering oxidative stress appears to be a valid approach for treating redox related diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, asthma, and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD).
• Current reducing reagents, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, or N-acetylcysteine (NAC), are unable to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB).
• This new compound, AD4, is capable of crossing the blood brain barrier.
• Successful toxicology studies have been carried out by the well-known clinical research organization, Quintiles.
• Studies have been carried out and describe its efficiency in animal models of Parkinson's, MS, haloperidol toxicity, macular degeneration, asthma, beta-thalassemia, and others.

Our Innovation

Low molecular weight reducing compounds that are able to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and provide treatment for neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s), diabetes-related disorders, and ischemic head injuries by the relief of oxidative stress

Key Features

• Unlike all previous drugs, such as NAC that is impermeable or vitamin E that remains in the membrane, the new compound can penetrate the cell membrane and be targeted into the cell.
• AD4 is very active, is water soluble, and crosses the blood brain barrier.
• AD4 is not toxic (up to 2gr/kg) because it is derived from natural amino acid.
• It is significantly (>10-fold) more potent than NAC.
• Results of animal trials for macular degeneration (AMD), asthma, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis are very successful and promising.
• Toxicology studies for AD4 have been completed.

Development Milestones

• Seeking funding for Phase I clinical studies and ongoing research, and industrial collaboration.
• The laboratory holds enough of the compound for immediate use in testing any experimental model.

The Opportunity

• Nervous system neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases as well as diabetes
• Conditions of the peripheral tissues, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.