Purine metabolism blockers for the treatment of diseases caused by protozoa

Project Leader (s):
Anders Hofer and Lars Thelander

Affiliation:
Dept. of Med. Chemistry & Biophysics

Status:
Active Incubator Project

Brief Description:
A number of arthropod diseases are caused by protozoan pathogens, such as malaria, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis. In particular, trypanosomiasis is caused by infections with species of the protozoan genus Trypanosoma. For example, Chaga's disease, is caused by T. cruzi, which is usually transmitted to humans by infected triatomids, while African sleeping sickness, is caused by infections of Trypanosoma brucei rhodiense and T. b. gambiense. More specifically, African sleeping sickness is a devastating disease resulting in a coma when these parasites invade the central nervous system.

There are numerous efforts to find alternative treatments where purine metabolism is the focus in the field of trypanosomes and related organisms. These efforts are based on the reported lack purine synthesis de novo and the ability to salvage hypoxanthine, adenine or guanine through various phosphoribosyltransferases to interconvert IMP, AMP and GMP.

The project owners have demonstrated a complete "cure" in cell culture assays, and currently, are working on defining the necessary parameters for in vivo studies. The project owners have recently reported to UBI a treatment that elicited a cure of the infected animals.

When a curative regimen is proven, the work should pave the route to a preclinical study in relevant primate models. Toxicity of the compound chosen has already been tested as the drug is an active cancer drug used in treating patients. The project is active seeking sponsors to deliver on the promise as a goodwill project.

Intellectual Property Status:
EP 1 284 725 B1 and US 7157449; patents are granted. Key drug is off patent.

Potential Commercial Uses:
Project potential is limited. Viable alternatives as a "goodwill" therapeutics aimed at third world countries where diseases are prevalent but lack the revenue generating potential. Contact:
Anders Hofer, Project Owner