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Green protein inhibits Alheimer’s, CSIRO scientists find

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 November 2008 03:42 Written by Editor Thursday, 20 November 2008 03:42


BY NYSSA SKILTON

MEDICAL REPORTER

18/11/2008

CSIRO scientists have developed a way to screen for compounds that can inhibit the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

The system involves using live yeast and a protein called Abeta fused to a fluorescent green protein, which comes from jellyfish.

The scientists, working within CSIRO’s Preventive Health Flagship, published their findings in the latest edition of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is the fourth leading cause of death in people older than 65 and there is no cure known to science.

It is thought to be the result of a loss of neurons in the brain, caused by a process in which toxic forms, known as multimers, of the small Abeta protein are created.

Lead author Ian Macreadie said the scientists had discovered a ”rapid screening system” to identify inhibitors of this process.

”Compounds that inhibit the formation of the toxic multimers may lead to the prevention or delay of the disease,” Dr Macreadie said.

”The yeast trial we developed could lead to the discovery of new agents which may prove useful in preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.”

The researchers tested their screening system using folate, a nutrient known to protect against Alzheimer’s disease. They found that the folate made the yeast with the jellyfish protein greener.

The green colour signifies that the additive, in this case the folate, has stopped the Abeta protein from changing into its toxic forms.

”The greener the better,” Dr Macreadie said. ”We’re interested in finding not just folate, but many existing compounds and novel compounds that may be helpful in [combating] Alzheimer’s.”

The researchers have already screened hundreds of compounds in the search for Alzheimer’s inhibitors. They plan to screen foods to identify nutrients they may use to enrich foods to protect consumers.

Posted under Alzheimer's disease, Australia, Compound Libraries, Discoveries, Innovations and Patents, Industry News, News by Region, News by Subject, Press Releases, R & D  |  Comments Off

Scientists seek out Alzheimer’s enemies

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 November 2008 03:24 Written by Editor Thursday, 20 November 2008 03:24


CSIRO scientists have developed a new system to screen for compounds that can inhibit one of the processes that takes place during the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

In a paper published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, folate is shown to be beneficial in the screening system.

Lead author, CSIRO’s Dr Ian Macreadie says folate is already well known to have a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease which is believed to be caused by the loss of neurons in the brain due to a process whereby toxic multimers of a small protein called Aβ are formed.

“However, a team of scientists working within CSIRO’s Preventative Health Flagship has discovered a rapid screening system to identify inhibitors of this process. Compounds that inhibit the formation of the toxic multimers may lead to the prevention or delay of the disease,” Dr Macreadie says.

“Although many other research groups and drug companies around the world are trying to find compounds that act in the same way, the advance by the Flagship team involves using live yeast with the Aβ protein fused to a green fluorescent protein that comes from jellyfish.

“The significance of this development is that the yeast trial we developed could lead to the discovery of new agents which may prove useful in preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Currently Alzheimer’s disease is an incurable illness and the fourth leading cause of death in people aged 65 years and over.

Although folate is abundant in foods like leafy green vegetables, pulses and liver, CSIRO studies have shown that many Australians do not consume enough folate to benefit from its ability to prevent cell damage. Folate levels can, however, be readily restored by dietary folate supplementation.

Posted under Alzheimer's disease, Australia, Discoveries, Innovations and Patents, Industry News, News by Region, News by Subject, Press Releases  |  Comments Off

The increased sensitivity, functionality and vehicle mounted mobile capability of the Voice200, as well as its competitive pricing model, are raising strong commercial interest in the market

Last Updated on Monday, 23 July 2007 03:40 Written by Fred Monday, 23 July 2007 03:40

Syft Technologies is launching the next generation of Sift-MS instrumentation, the Voice200, which it says delivers real-time identification and quantitation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the push of a button. Geoff Peck CEO of Syft Technologies says: ‘The design criteria and market requirements for this next generation of instruments were exacting.

‘We set a goal to significantly reduce the size and weight of the instrument while enhancing detection capability.

‘We redesigned the internal structure of the instrument to simplify the manufacture and maintenance processes, but kept the push button simplicity of the original Voice100′.

Trials of the technology are already producing significant results that are presenting new commercial opportunities for a number of prospects in North America and Europe.

A key player in the US food industry has been particularly impressed with Syft’s ability to analyse key compounds in a range of dairy related products, opening up new opportunities for dairy processing, product development and quality control.

The non-invasive nature of the technique continues to add significant value to a range of clinical trials and medical research being undertaken within New Zealand.

A large multinational in the medical sector has already invested in the Voice range of instruments.

Meanwhile Syft’s container air analysis applications continue to gather momentum as the dangers to health from fumigants and other toxic chemicals within containers are becoming more widely known and understood.

Syft international sales manager John Billows says: ‘Discussions with a range of customer prospects confirm that we have a real winner on our hands.

‘The feedback so far shows they are impressed with the speed and accuracy of the technology, as well as the smaller footprint, and of course the competitive price’.

The underlying technology of the Voice200 is selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (Sift-MS).

Syft Technologies was the first company to be able to successfully commercialise the technique and has won a number of awards for the early commercial success of the Voice100, its flagship product.

New applications for the Voice200 are well underway, including oil and gas exploration and refining, food and flavour chemistry, as well as screening for toxic chemicals, contraband, explosives and bio-security threats.

Syft’s European office, in the northwest of England, will host Syft’s European distributor network for product demonstrations, technical and sales training on the new instrument.

Senior sales and technical staff from the New Zealand head office will also attend the product launch taking place at the Daresbury Innovation Centre.

The Voice200 uses the patented Sift-MS technique to identify and qualify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in real-time.

At less than half the weight of the Voice100, with a 1/3 volume reduction and with detection limits to 50 parts per trillion (50pptv), the Voice200 is a significant scientific and engineering breakthrough.

New features include a touch screen LCD for easy operation, lower power and consumable requirements, and a range of new options for sample presentation and analysis.

A major advance is the instrument’s ability to deliver negative ion capability, opening up a range of application areas that were previously difficult using the Voice100.

The Voice200 differs from competing mass spectrometry technologies in that it can detect and measure VOCs within seconds (such as all common fumigants below government mandated safety levels).

It can also analyse whole-air even in humid samples such as breath, and it provides quantitative results that are consistent and reliable.

It is designed with push button simplicity and ease of use in mind.

Unlike competing mass spectrometry techniques, no sample preparation is required, and the instrument can be operated with minimal training to deliver laboratory quality results.

Posted under Australia, Equipment & Supplies, Industry News, Press Releases  |  Comments Off

Cytopia Announces Major License and R&D Collaboration

Last Updated on Wednesday, 7 June 2006 06:19 Written by admin Wednesday, 7 June 2006 06:19

MELBOURNE, Australia, June 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Cytopia Ltd (ASX: CYT – News) today announced the signing of a global license and research and development collaboration with Novartis to develop orally active, small molecule therapeutics targeting JAK3 kinase for the prevention of transplant rejection and the treatment of multiple indications in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Both companies will contribute expertise and intellectual property relating to JAK3 inhibitors for the purpose of bringing compounds into the clinic. Novartis will assume responsibility for product development and commercialisation. Cytopia has retained co-promotion rights for Australia and New Zealand.

“This deal is an important recognition of Cytopia’s internationally- leading position in the development of kinase inhibitors, particularly for the JAK family of kinases that are pivotal in the immune system,” said Dr Kevin Healey, Cytopia’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. “We are delighted to be working with a company that is a global leader in transplantation, one of the major target areas for the alliance.”

Cytopia has a strong structural-based design approach to the development of kinase inhibitors and has been able to achieve impressive levels of both potency and specificity for a number of targets, particularly on JAK3. In conjunction with Monash University, Cytopia was the first to publish the crystal structure for JAK2, a related target and employs a proprietary software platform (ChemaPhore) for the in silico screening, design and refinement of drug leads.

Under the terms of the agreement Cytopia will receive payments from Novartis of approximately US$9.5 million over three years including an up front payment and research funding. Over the life of the agreement Cytopia may become eligible to receive development, regulatory and sales milestones which could total approximately US$205 million if an agreed number of multiple indications are successfully commercialised. Cytopia will also receive royalties on product sales.

About JAK3

JAK3 is a member of the JAK kinase family. JAK1 and JAK2 were discovered by Cytopia’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Andrew Wilks when at the Melbourne Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Cytopia has become a world leader in the development of highly specific inhibitors for this class of enzymes.

Without JAK3 the immune system can not perform normally and individuals missing the JAK3 gene are severely immune compromised. Current therapies for transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis rely on drugs that also act on cells other than those of the immune system and in many cases cause severe side effects. JAK3 only occurs in cells of the immune system and so there is a strong possibility that JAK3 specific drugs offer a novel approach to treating these disorders with a potential reduction in side effects.

Transplantation and Autoimmune disease markets

The current market for drugs to prevent transplant rejection is approximately US$3 billion and Novartis is a key player. The transplant market is set for significant growth with the number of transplants reported to grow from 440,000 to 700,000 by 2010 and more specific and potent drugs could significantly penetrate this market.

Autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, atopic diseases and multiple sclerosis. The RA market alone is forecast to grow to US$15 billion by 2009. Current drugs for this application either treat pain, slow disease or “mop up” immune stimulators. JAK3 inhibitors potentially offer a way to intervene more specifically and earlier in the progression of this disease.

About Cytopia

Cytopia Ltd is an Australian biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of new drugs to treat cancer, immune disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Cytopia conducts its research and development via subsidiaries based in Melbourne and New York and specialises in discovering new molecules that can inhibit enzymes known as kinases, an exciting new class of drugs.

Burrill & Co, a San Francisco based life sciences investment bank, acted as advisors to the company in completing this agreement.

For more information please visit our website at:

http://www.cytopia.com.au.

Posted under Australia, Collaborations, Press Releases, Targeted Libraries  |  Comments Off

egoli Biotech & Health News: AEI, EPT, NDL, SBP

Last Updated on Friday, 19 August 2005 03:39 Written by admin Friday, 19 August 2005 03:39

(AEI) AERIS TECHNOLOGIES LTD –3.0c to 77.0c; Advises that in conjunction with the University of New South Wales, it has been awarded a $540,000 Australian Research Council ARC Linkage Grant. The grant covers a period of 3 years from July 2005 and will fund research into substantially broadening the Aeris enzyme applications and product portfolio. This new range of enhanced enzymes is to be achieved through chemical modification technology thereby offering Aeris new opportunities across a broad range of novel applications. Aeris will retain full ownership of all intellectual property arising from this research collaboration with the University of New South Wales. The potential commercial outcomes of the research include temperature sensitive applications, significant cost advantages, and the potential to use Aeris formulations in the large potable water and food contact markets. The expansion of the Company’s advanced enzyme technology should significantly strengthen its intellectual property portfolio. Aeris said it intends to invest in resources to take advantage of the resulting extensive commercial opportunities.

(EPT) EPITAN LIMITED +1.5c to 44.0c; Announced that Exorex, a non-steroidal treatment for psoriasis, has been recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) reimbursement. Exorex is exclusively marketed in Australia by Epitan’s wholly-owned subsidiary EpiPharm. Exorex is the first ready prepared coal tar treatment to be recommended for PBS reimbursement ensuring that Exorex can now be prescribed at a lower cost to the public. The incidence of psoriasis in Australia is between 4-8% of the total population. Epitan also announced today that it has acquired the Australian sales and marketing rights for ZORAC (tazarotene) cream and gel from Allergan, Inc. ZORAC cream and gel are used for the topical treatment of acne and psoriasis and are the latest products in the drug class called topical retinoids.

(NDL) NEURODISCOVERY LIMITED –0.5c to 19.5c; Announced it has entered into an agreement with Epichem Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of PharmAust Limited (PAA) to assist with the development of one of NeuroSolutions’ lead pain drug candidates, NSL-036. Using in-house specialist technologies, NeuroSolutions identified the potential utility of NSL-036 for the treatment of pain, they said. In addition to progressing the development of NSL-036, NeuroSolutions and Epichem plan to utilise the injectable version of NSL-036 as a template to build compounds suitable for oral dose forms for the treatment neuropathic pain. Following identification of these potential oral drug candidates NeuroSolutions will apply its own technology to establish an effective screening cascade for the validation of these compounds, which then may progress through pre-clinical and subsequently clinical development.

(SBP) SOLBEC PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED unch at 8.6c; Announced that its manufacturing facility has been granted a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) licence by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). In order to qualify for the licence, Solbec was required to meet the TGA’s stringent criteria for manufacturing and quality control at its Osborne Park, Western Australia facility, they said. The licence represents formal accreditation of Solbec’s manufacturing and quality control systems and procedures; and ensures the Company is not reliant on outsourcing to similarly certified third party facilities for production of Coramsine, they explained. The components of the licence are such that Solbec’s Osborne Park facility is now GMP certified for both the manufacture of Coramsine’s precursor compound; and for the laboratory testing and release of the finished Drug Products for use in clinical trials.

This information is drawn from www.egoli.com.au and other public information sources.

Posted under Australia, Business and Investment  |  Comments Off

Software that automatically assesses a drug’s effect on nerve cells

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 June 2005 05:32 Written by admin Tuesday, 21 June 2005 05:30

Potential new drugs for neurological disorders like Parkinson’s are being screened faster thanks to world-leading CSIRO software that automatically assesses a drug’s effect on nerve cells.

The image analysis software will be highlighted at BIO2005, the world’s largest biotechnology conference, on 19-22 June in Philadelphia, USA.

In the search for new pharmaceuticals, thousands of chemical compounds are screened to see if they’re effective and safe.

CSIRO’s software is being used to find new treatments for neurological disorders by measuring nerve cell changes faster and more thoroughly than other commercially available software – this means thousands of samples can be screened in a day.

The CSIRO software is now in software toolkits for several high content screening instruments, with German company Evotec Technologies announcing its CSIRO licence last month.

CSIRO’s Pascal Vallotton says that cell counting and allocating neurites to individual cells is traditionally done manually.

“Nerve cells have very complex branches, like a tree. For a person to work out which branches belong to which cells and then measure changes due to the drugs being tested is difficult and slow”, he says.

“Not only that, different technicians will usually give different answers”.

The CSIRO software can also be used in high content screening instruments because it can automatically analyse cell changes in an instant.

These instruments capture and process images of the cells, giving critical measurements that help pharmaceutical companies decide which compounds to investigate further.

“With this kind of resource at their fingertips, it will be easier to find treatments for diseases”, says Dr Vallotton.

http://www.csiro.com.au

Posted under Australia, ChemInformatics, USA and Canada  |  Comments Off