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The CNS Portfolio
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Cognition and neuroregeneration are the focus across ENKAM’s CNS projects with the FGL as the lead peptide. FGL has shown very promising results in a number of in vivo models of neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. ENKAM’s PMTP™ technology has yielded a number of active peptides with great potential targeting different neurotrophic factors and their receptors.
Alzheimer’s Disease. The pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s Disease is not fully understood, but it is generally believed to involve beta-amyloid deposition. The following data shows the effect of ENKAM’s compound FGL in an animal model involving beta-amyloid toxicity. As can be seen, FGL significantly reduced the effect of beta-amyloid. Treated animals, which had been exposed to beta-amyloid had the same functionality as normal controls.
FGL has demonstrated positive effects in a number of in-vivo models of neurodegeneration, such as beta-amyloid induced toxicity and global ischemia. It has also been shown to ameliorate impaired cognition in several animal models and to enhance learning and memory in intact adult animals. The in-vivo effects of FGL suggest a potential disease modifying activity in several neurodegenerative disorders. A recently completed phase I clinical study has demonstrated FGL to be well tolerated and safe.
Alzheimer’s Disease is characterised by neurodegeneration and impaired cognition, and fits ENKAM’s CNS discovery strategy well. It has been selected as the primary target indication for the development of FGL due to the compound’s unique pharmacological profile, disease modifying potential and rapid improvement of cognition.
Huntington’s Disease. ENKAM is currently screening a large number of compounds in-vitro and compounds in vivo with the aim of identifying a development candidate. This work is being done in collaboration with the charitable organisation CHDI (Cure of Huntington’s Disease Initiative).