P2X7 receptor

Collaboration to advance development of innovative oral small molecule therapeutics for retinal disorders MILAN and COPENHAGEN, Denmark, July 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Golgi Neurosciences S.r.l., the biotech incubator dedicated to the development of new treatments for devastating diseases, and Breye Therapeutics ApS, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel oral therapies for retinal vascular diseases, today announces a collaboration to develop the P2X7 receptor antagonist programme. The P2X7 receptor is an ATP-gated ion channel expressed in various cell types and is a key inflammation switch. Inflammation increases in the diabetic retina and does so in a self-propagating manner. Strong scientific evidence also implicates inflammation in the pathogenesis of AMD. Orally available antagonists of the P2X7 receptor represent a novel approach for the treatment of both early-stage DR and dry-AMD. Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) affects 30% of diabetic patients and is one of the leading causes of blindness among working age adults. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is another prominent cause of vision loss, particularly for individuals aged 60 years and older. Chiara Liberati, Managing Director, Golgi Neurosciences, commented: "There is a significant need for more effective and patient-compliant drugs in the ophthalmic field. With leading experts on the Scientific Advisory Board, Breye is led by a strong and seasoned Management team, supported by a highly-regarded syndicate of investors, making Breye the ideal partner to facilitate the next steps in advancing our P2X7 receptor antagonist program towards developing innovative approaches for retinal disorders. "This marks the first closed deal for Golgi Neurosciences since its inception which serves as a validation for the quality of our research in the field of small-molecule drugs." Ulrik Mouritzen , Chief Executive Officer, Breye Therapeutics, said: "The Golgi incubator has fantastic expertise in neurosciences, and we are pleased to collaborate to advance the P2X7 receptor antagonist program for retinal disorders, where there is a large unmet medical need for more effective and less burdensome therapies." About Golgi Neurosciences Golgi Neurosciences is a biotech incubator based in Milan, Italy, dedicated to the discovery and development of small molecule-based treatments for neurodegenerative diseases with high unmet need. The incubator boasts a diverse portfolio of clinical and preclinical stage companies, all focused on programs targeting various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis and Retinopathies. In addition, Golgi Neurosciences is progressing a robust pipeline of proprietary projects on innovative therapeutics targets, for which it is open to partnership. For more information, please visit: golgineurosciences.com About Breye Therapeutics Breye is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, oral ophthalmology drugs to address the needs of millions of patients suffering with deteriorating vision due to Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) or Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), for which there are no treatments in early or moderate disease. Severe diabetic retinopathy requires intravitreal injections directly into the eye, which are unpopular with patients, resulting in a significant drop out rate of about 50% after 1 year and only 40% of patients obtain an optimal response. Orally administered drugs will be less burdensome than injections, as well as potentially more effective and commercially competitive. With its clinically de-risked safety profile, the lead program with danegaptide has potential for a short and well-accepted clinical regulatory pathway. The addition of the oral P2X7R inhibitor program seeks to reduce nerve damage and inflammation in retinal diseases. Breye raised a seed round from Novo Holdings and Sound BioVentures and received financial support from the BioInnovation Institute, the Danish Growth Foundation (Vækstfonden) and the Danish Innovation Foundation (Innovationsfonden). For more information, please visit: SOURCE Golgi Neurosciences; Breye Therapeutics

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the main reasons for blindness among working-age adults. Credit: Alexander Grey from Pixabay. Golgi Neurosciences has joined forces with Breye Therapeutics for the development of a P2X7 receptor antagonist programme. The receptor, a vital inflammation switch, is an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) gated ion channel found in several cell types. Recommended Reports Reports Beta 2 Adrenergic Receptor (Beta 2 Adrenoreceptor or ADRB2) Drugs in Development by Therapy Areas... GlobalData Reports D2 Dopamine Receptor (Dopamine D2 Receptor or DRD2) Drugs in Development by Therapy Areas and Ind... GlobalData View all Companies Intelligence Breye Therapeutics ApS View all The oral P2X7 receptor antagonists offer a new treatment approach for both early-stage diabetic retinopathy (DR) and dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). Golgi Neurosciences managing director Chiara Liberati said: “With leading experts on the Scientific Advisory Board, Breye is led by a strong and seasoned Management team, supported by a highly-regarded syndicate of investors, making Breye the ideal partner to facilitate the next steps in advancing our P2X7 receptor antagonist program towards developing innovative approaches for retinal disorders.” DR impacts around 30% of individuals with diabetes and is one of the main reasons for blindness among working-age adults. AMD is a significant factor contributing to the loss of vision, especially among individuals aged 60 years and older. Breye Therapeutics CEO Ulrik Mouritzen said: “The Golgi incubator has fantastic expertise in neurosciences, and we are pleased to collaborate to advance the P2X7 receptor antagonist programme for retinal disorders, where there is a large unmet medical need for more effective and less burdensome therapies.” Based in Milan, Italy, Golgi is involved in the discovery and development of small molecule-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Breye is focused on the development of novel, oral ophthalmology drugs for DR and AMD.

Collaboration Will Investigate a Next Generation Orally Delivered Anti-Purinergic Compound Proof-of-Concept Study Based on one of PaxMedica’s Proprietary Pipeline Candidates TARRYTOWN, NY, June 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire – PaxMedica, Inc. (Nasdaq: PXMD), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development of novel anti-purinergic drug therapies (APT) for the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other serious conditions with intractable neurologic symptoms, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with PoloMar Health to investigate the use of emodin in a clinical program as a potential treatment for patients with autism spectrum disorder. Emodin is an orally bioavailable selective P2X7 inhibitor, and is currently available as a component in a number of over-the-counter nutritional supplements. Emodin is a naturally occurring substance that is found in several plants, including rhubarb and Japanese knotweed. PoloMar Health is also working in partnership with The BRAIN Foundation on this initiative. Under the agreement, PoloMar Health will retain rights to develop and commercialize any non-prescription supplement form of the product, while PaxMedica will retain exclusive rights to develop and commercialize a highly purified form of emodin as a prescription pharmaceutical product following FDA and other regulatory authorities’ guidance. In 2019, PaxMedica completed several in vivo animal studies in a mouse model of autism and demonstrated positive results for emodin in several measures of cognition, memory, and behavior. These findings were the basis of a patent filing that was initiated that same year by PaxMedica. A Phase II proof-of-concept trial, using a proprietary, highly bioavailable form of emodin in patients with ASD, is anticipated to begin in Q2 of 2023. PoloMar Health will be the sponsor of the U.S.-based study, and will, along with The BRAIN Foundation, provide the funding for the study. Depending on the outcome of this study, PaxMedica may pursue a formal development program for a potential prescription-grade product to treat patients with ASD. “This valuable collaboration with PoloMar Health and the BRAIN Foundation is expected to enable PaxMedica to cost-effectively advance an existing asset in our pre-clinical pipeline, while maintaining our unwavering focus and commitment to the development and future approval of our primary clinical pipeline product, PAX-101. Moreover, as a selective P2X7 purine receptor inhibitor, emodin will extend our overall knowledge of these types of agents in the treatment of the core symptoms of autism,” said Howard Weisman, Chief Executive Officer of PaxMedica. About PaxMedica PaxMedica is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development of anti-purinergic drug therapies (“APT”) for the treatment of disorders with intractable neurologic symptoms, ranging from neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (“ASD”), to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (“ME/CFS”), a debilitating physical and cognitive disorder believed to be viral in origin and now with rising incidence globally due to the long term effects of SARS-CoV-2 (“COVID-19”). One of PaxMedica’s primary points of focus is the development and testing of its lead program, PAX-101, an intravenous formulation of suramin, in the treatment of ASD and the advancement of the clinical understanding of using that agent against other disorders such as ME/CFS and Long COVID-19 Syndrome, a clinical diagnosis in individuals who have been previously infected with COVID-19. For more information, visit . 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Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results described in the Company’s “Risk Factors” section and other sections in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, most recent quarterly filings and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Contacts: Stephanie Prince PCG Advisory sprince@pcgadvisory.com (646) 863-6341