Background
Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in elderlies in the western world and an increasingly growing problem. The global AMD and diabetic retinopathy treatment market is overwhelmingly dominated by the high-cost injectable anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs, including Lucentis, Avastin, and Eylea. However, these treatments are restricted to a single growth factor and mainly affecting edema rather regressing blood vessels. As a result, the treatments become less effective over time due to compensating mechanisms.
It is considered that a broad spectrum inhibitors of angiogenesis based on Methionine Aminopeptidase 2 (MetAp2) inhibition may affect downstream signals to VEGF and thus lead to higher potency of the treatments.
Our Innovation
Using synthetic chemistry, novel compounds with high ability to block MetAp2 activity were synthesized. These compounds have a potential for use as anti-angiogenic drugs in different vascular pathologies, and specifically in AMD.
Advantages
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Broad spectrum application
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Lower potency of treatments
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Small molecule drug
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No need for repeated injections
Application
The synthetic compounds have a potential for use as anti-angiogenic drugs in vascular pathologies, including cancer, inflammatory diseases, obesity, dermal diseases, ocular diseases, arthritis etc. Potentially also relevant to autoimmune diseases and obesity.
Clinical Results
In-vitro: Molecules have been synthesized and tested in MetAp2 inhibition and in cell assays (inhibited proliferation of endothelial cells).
