Biotie has several research programs ongoing, which are aimed at discovering new therapeutic agents for the treatment of inflammatory and central nervous system diseases. Biotie applies a molecular medicine based approach to drug discovery, making use of its unique capabilities in the areas of medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, high throughput screening, molecular modeling, in-house pharmacology, DMPK and scale-up activities.
Apart from the development of the anti-VAP-1 monoclonal antibody, which is currently in clinical phase 1 trials, Biotie is developing small molecule inhibitors against the enzyme VAP-1 SSAO , which is also present in the VAP-1 inflammation receptor. This work is being done in collaboration with its partner Roche, which has an option to license products resulting from this discovery project on a world-wide basis except for Asia-Pacific. Seikagaku Corp. has an option to license such products in this territory.
Furthermore, Biotie is also developing small molecule PDE inhibitors that show pronounced activity in animal models of memory enhancement, anxiety and depression. Biotie is profiling these compounds with respect to their therapeutic potential and as candidate drugs. Decreased cyclic nucleotide levels in brain have been associated with many diseases of the brain and PDE inhibitors can effectively elevate the levels of cyclic nucleotides. On the basis of the current information, Biotie estimates that new PDE inhibitors can be applied to treat schizophrenia associated memory deficits and other cognition deficits, anxiety disorders and depression.
Biotie is investigating the efficacy of its a2ß1 integrin inhibitors in various inflammatory diseases. Positive results in several animal models of inflammation with proprietary inhibitors of a2ß1 integrin demonstrate significant potential in inflammatory diseases.
Biotie holds numerous patents, patent applications and other intellectual property rights on the molecules it discovered in all research programs in the U.S., Europe, Japan and in the rest of the world.
Some of the programs are available for research and development partnerships and inquiries about these are welcome
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Updated November, 2009