Case Studies

• Development of Immucillin-H for the treatment of T- and B-cell cancers and autoimmune diseases


• Discovery and development of cystic fibrosis drug based on inositol

Development of Immucillin-H for the treatment of T- and B-cell cancers and autoimmune diseases

In collaboration with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the USA, Industrial Research (GlycoSyn’s Discovery Carbohydrate Chemistry division) has developed and synthesised two next-generation pharmaceuticals for the treatment of T- and B-cell cancers and auto-immune diseases, such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, and to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs. They are part of a new range of powerful non-toxic immunosuppressives developed under a collaborative research project.

Both drugs were previously licensed to US biotechnology company, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc by Industrial Research and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, then in 2005 were sub-licensed by BioCryst to Swiss-based MundiPharma Pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical company, Roche for development and commercialisation. This includes undertaking clinical trials overseas, with promising results emerging for both drugs.

The anti-cancer drug, Fodosine™, has been granted ‘orphan drug’ status by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of T-cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, recognising its therapeutic potential and helping fast-track it to market.

The drug for the treatment of auto-immune diseases (BCX 4208) has successfully completed Phase 1 single dose clinical trials and Roche is conducting a second trial of healthy volunteers to assess multiple doses.

Discovery and development of cystic fibrosis drug based on inositol

US-based drug company, Inologic contracted IRL (Industrial Research Limited - GlycoSyn’s Discovery Carbohydrate Chemistry division) to develop one of the world’s first drugs to treat cystic fibrosis, from a pool of about 15 companies. Inologic praised GlycoSyn’s “carbohydrate expertise, cost-effective processes and GMP manufacturing”.

The drug is based on specific signalling molecules (inositol) which are now recognised as playing a lead role in regulating and controlling cell function.

Unlike present drug treatments, the new drug is designed to attack the disease’s cause, allowing it to be used early in the disease’s life-cycle rather than waiting for symptoms to develop.

The drug improves the chloride and sodium balance in lung tissue. As a result, it is believed that normal lung clearance functions could be restored and the thick mucus build-up would be alleviated or significantly reduced, resulting in a decreased number of infections and inflammation.

The drug has shown no indication of potential side effects and is progressing to the next stage of undertaking clinical drug trials.