Active
XMaNs
A New Generation of LNPs
Active
Lipophosphonoxins
A novel class of antimicrobial compounds with a rapid mechanism of action and low propensity for resistance development
Active
Novel anti-inflammatory compounds
Active
Neurosteroids in Epilepsy
Novel neurosteroids for the treatment of epilepsy and seizure diseases
Active
Neurosteroids in Neuropathic Pain Treatment
Potent CNS therapeutics – SMART Steroids
Active
Targeting leukemia through inhibition of purine salvage enzymes
Inhibiting purine nucleoside phosphorylase to treat T-cell leukemias – a viable target or not?
Licensed
Treatment of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
Lipidized analogs of anorexigenic neuropeptides for the Treatment of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
Inactive
Selective Carbonic anhydrase IX inhibitors
Inactive
selective 17βHSD1 inhibitors
Inactive
Wild bee venom peptides
Novel antimicrobial and antifungal compounds
selective 17βHSD1 inhibitors
Challenge
17βHSD1 an enzyme that has been known to play a pivotal role in tissue specific estradiol (E2) synthesis for more than fifty years. E2 is a very potent hormone, which regulates the expression of a variety of genes by binding to estrogen receptors (ER) and thus it plays a crucial role in the physiological as well as pathological proliferation and differentiation of the target cell. 17βHSD1 affects breast cancer cell proteome and modulates expression of several genes at both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, it is associated with an increased risk of cell migration and cancer relapse. Therefore, regulation of 17βHSD1 should be considered as potential novel endocrine therapy or 17βHSD1 expression as an independent prognostic marker in breast cancer patients. Higher expression levels of 17βHSD1 have been observed in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) Furthermore, significant high E2 levels are described in endometriosis, uterine leiomyomas (fibroids or myomas), adenomyosis, menorrhagia, and dysmenorrhea. At present, no 17βHSD1 inhibitor has reached clinical trials.
Technology
We have successfully developed highly potent and specific inhibitors of 17βHSD1. We have recently shown the efficacy of these compounds in in vitro and in vivo testing of E1 to E2 conversion after application of the lead compound.
Proof of concept experiments:
- No significant toxic effect shown in vitro and vivo
- Experiments on T47D cells show inhibition of 17βHSD1(accumulation of E1 in HPLC MS/MS detectable)
- Proof of concept experiments in egg-disease models
The objective of this study was to test the concept of inhibiting 17βHSD1 and its effect on T47D breast carcinoma cells as well as the efficacy of our lead compound EP449. The test was performed on an egg model developed by INOVOTION. At day 16 of the egg embryonal development, following 4 treatments (at day 2, 3, 4 and 5 after grafting), tumors were collected, fixed, cleaned and weighted: at the dose tested (50 μmol.l-1) EP449 had the same effect as 4-hydoxytamoxifen, used as positive control (200 μmol.l-1), showing a 12-13 % reduction, both compounds showed a reduction of metastasis.
In terms of toxicity, the same ratio of dead/alive eggs between groups was observed, even in the negative control group. No specific toxicity of EP449 was proven.
Commercial Opportunity
The technology is offered for co-development and licensing.
Development Status
Early preclinical stage, in vitro and in vivo testing, lead optimization, toxicology.
Patent Situation
Patent application in international (PCT) phase with priority date in June 2016
IP owners
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics AS CR, v.v.i. , Prague Czech Republic
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Olomouc Czech Republic
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany