Nanodisc: Drug Development and Delivery

A finalist in the Venture Showcase Nanodisc, Inc. was presented by President and CEO Michael Artinger, Ph.D. Nanodiscs permit the functional solubilization of membrane-associated proteins as both drug targets and as drugs themselves. The proper packaging of membrane-associated proteins in Nanodiscs may result in better functionality of this class of protein-based drugs through improved folding, affinity, stability and reduced toxicity.

The primary focus of the Company is the development and commercialization of Nanodiscs as a delivery platform. Potential payloads include:

• Membrane-associated proteins such as receptors
• Small molecules (especially difficult to solubilize drugs)
• Imaging agents
• Nucleic acids (such as RNAi)
  

So what exactly is a Nanodisc? It is a proprietary nano-scale structure created using a process of self-assembly of a phospholipid bilayer disc surrounded by a patented, engineered membrane scaffold protein belt. Both the size and the chemical nature of Nanodiscs can be easily modified. Nanodiscs render amphipathic and hydrophobic molecules easily soluble, offering transformative innovations across a broad range of commercial applications in both in vivo delivery of therapeutics as well as for in vitro drug discovery. The potential of this technology has been demonstrated using a diverse assortment of molecular targets, therapeutic molecules and diagnostic agents.


Management has assembled a unique, proprietary Nanodisc platform for delivery, imaging, diagnostics, target discovery and validation, lead generation and optimization and is pursuing multiple high-value drug and vaccine delivery applications characterized by substantial unmet need and market opportunity with clinical entry of a first candidate anticipated in 2009 while continuing alliance development with "best-in-class" partners to advance their discovery assets. Early funding was secured through IllinoisVENTURES and the Illinois Emerging Technology Fund

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OPX Biotechnologies: Series A $3.6M

OPX Biotechnologies (Boulder) announced the close of a $3.6M Series A financing led by Mohr Davidow Ventures and X/Seed Capital Management.

OPX is enabling renewable fuels and chemicals that are economically and environmentally superior to petroleum-based products by using a pioneering technology platform known as SCALEs to enable massively parallel full genome search and modification to rapidly optimize the microbes used for producing biofuels and biorefined chemicals. The goal is to vastly decrease production costs and capital requirements, thus removing one of the major barriers to the use of renewable fuels and chemicals.

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Personalized Medicine Colorado Style

It is exciting to see how the Colorado community is heating up around biomarkers and diagnostics. What is even hotter to me is when one of these molecular diagnostics forge an intimate relationship with and become a companion to enabling a genetically targeted therapeutic.

Well, we here in Colorado are lucky to have one such company pursuing that endeavor, ARCA Discovery. CLSDF has previously highligted ARCA so we won’t start from the beginning, what should be highlighted is is that the recently reported data on bucindolol, ARCA’s next-generation beta-blocker beta-blocker and vasodilator for heart failure and other indications, continues to show promise in becoming the first genetically-targeted cardiovascular drug, that is thanks to ARCA’s founders who have demonstrated genetic polymorphisms that interact with bucindolol's unique pharmacology to modify patient response.

For fear of putting some readers to sleep by detailing the numerous study results lets allow Michael Bristow, MD., Ph.D. Founder, Chair and Chief Science and Medical Officer of ARCA Discovery to sum it up...

"The data presented today provided us with more evidence supporting the potential of bucindolol as a targeted therapy for the treatment of heart failure. Importantly, we are encouraged by the data demonstrating bucindolol’s effect in preventing atrial fibrillation and life threatening ventricular arrhythmia, showing the promise for bucindolol in additional indications. In addition, the BEST trial investigators were able to extend the observation of pharmacogenetic targeting of bucindolol to benefits on cardiovascular hospitalizations, which in effect gives the drug and targeting concept a broader application.”

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Accera Accelerating Through Phase II Study

Accera’s Ketasyn™ performed favorably in its Phase II age-associated memory impairment study. A low incidence of adverse events along with statistical significance was achieved for Ketasyn™ as it helped to suppress a loss in memory associated with aging.

The Accera pipeline includes therapeutic treatments for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other age-related memory loss disorders. The products are in advanced clinical development where they have demonstrated significant efficacy and outstanding safety compared to approved drugs in the marketplace. Accera’s strategy is to advance these products through Phase II testing and, at the appropriate point of high added-value, establish strategic alliances and partnerships to support commercialization. Internal discovery efforts and in-licensing of clinical compounds with novel mechanisms-of-action will expand the pipeline.

Congratulations to President & CEO Steve Orndorff, Ph.D. and the entire Accera team on the great results and continued success!

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GlobeImmune: Series C $41.2MM

GlobeImmune, Inc. closed a $41.2MM Series C financing. The round was led by Wexford Capital, other participants include Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG), Mellon Family Investment Company, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Eminent Venture Capital Corp., Boston Life Science Venture, and WRF Capital. Previous investors who participated in the round include HealthCare Ventures, Morgenthaler Ventures, Sequel Venture Partners, Lilly Ventures, Medica Venture Partners, Adams Street Partners, Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB), Pac-Link Bioventures, China Investment and Development, Yasuda Enterprise Development, Partners Healthcare, and GC&H Investments.

This financing should carry GlobeImmune through to primary endpoints of their Phase II trials of GI-5005 for chronic hepatitis C and GI-4000 for resectable pancreatic cancer. In addition, it may launch pre-clinical Tarmogen™ candidates into the clinic. The company has raised approximately $88MM to date and has attracted local, costal and international dollars from venture, corporate and foundation sources. Truly an incredible close and needless to say how excited we are to observe GI-4000 and 5005 move through the clinic.

TheraTogs™ Fox News Appearance

Congratulations to Lee Taylor, Billi Cusick and the entire TheraTogs family on their successful appearance yesterday on Fox News 31. Telluride-based TheraTogs developed a live-in exo-muscular system for neuro-motor and postural training. For diseases such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Down’s syndrome, spina bifida as well as other segments such as geriatrics (e.g. osteoporosis management) and orthopedics (e.g. sports injuries) TheraTogs enable a critical element to the rehabilitation process…that is they allw the therapists hands to 'go-home' with the patient.

This innovative approach to extending a session beyond the traditional hour or two spent with the therapist is not only innovative but is a gift, however don’t take my word for it, just speak to the growing legions of parents and care givers about the incredible outcomes from adding TheraTogs to the therapeutic regimen.

To watch the video click (here) then again on the image under ‘videos’.

Taligen Featured in BioCentury

Congratulations to Woody Emlen and the rest of the Taligen Therapeutics team on their excellent Emerging Company Profile appearing in yesterday’s BioCentury’s Bernstein Report on BioBusiness. Great coverage not only for Taligen but this widely distributed periodical shines a great light upon Colorado life sciences.

“Taligen Therapeutics, Inc. is taking a two approaches to modulating complement for inflammatory diseases. The company thinks its lead antibody, TA-106, can modulate the pro-inflammatory system while still preserving the body’s natural immune response. A second program targets complement-mediated inflammation locally to reduce systemic toxicity and the amount of inhibitory protein needed for therapeutic effect…”