MycoLogics, Inc. today announced award of a Phase I SBIR grant by the Department of Health and Human Services to isolate a new class of compounds by disrupting beta(1,3)-glucan synthesis using a novel assay.
DENVER, CO (PRWEB) April 3, 2004 -- MycoLogics, Inc., an innovative biotechnology company specializing in the development of novel antifungal drugs and therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines against human fungal and parasitic pathogens, today announced award of a Phase I SBIR grant by the Department of Health and Human Services to isolate a new class of compounds by disrupting beta(1,3)-glucan synthesis using a novel assay. The beta(1,3)-glucan polymer is an essential component for fungal growth, it is found in fungi not in humans and is a validated FDA-approved clinical target for antifungals. The patentable assay is scaleable from low throughput to high throughput.
The last three decades have yielded a dramatic rise in the frequency of fungal infections, particularly in those patients undergoing a variety of immunocompromising treatments such as chemotherapy, organ and bone marrow transplants and HIV therapies. Current treatments for fungal infections are limited by very few therapeutic options, of which many are toxic to humans resulting in severe adverse effects. While less harmful, the widespread use of alternatives such as flucytosine and azoles has resulted in the emergence of clinically resistant fungal strains. MycoLogics, Inc. is committed to filling the critical and immediate need for new antifungals with mechanisms of action different from currently available drugs.
"This Phase I SBIR will allow us develop an assay to screen for compounds that inhibit the transcription of the enzyme responsible for the synthesis fungal beta-glucan. Since beta-glucan is essential for fungal growth and is absent in humans, this presents a unique target for antifungal drugs. We expect that this assay will lead to the discovery of an entirely new class of antifungals," said Dr. Claude P. Selitrennikoff, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of MycoLogics, Inc.
About MycoLogics, Inc.
MycoLogics, Inc. is an innovative biotechnology company specializing in the development of therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines against human fungal and parasitic pathogens, the discovery and isolation of novel antifungal compounds for therapeutic use, and the development of novel high throughput assays that target components of fungal cell walls. MycoLogics, Inc. is headquartered in Aurora, CO at the Fitzsimmons Colorado Bioscience Park. For more information please visit www.mycologics.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Dr. Claude P. Selitrennikoff, Ph.D.
President and CEO
MycoLogics, Inc.
Colorado Bioscience Park
12635 East Montview Blvd., Suite 131
Aurora, CO 80010
Tel: (303) 724-1250
Fax: (303) 724-0861
claude.selitrennikoff@uchsc.edu
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