targeting intracellular proteins, page-2

If Centyrins and Endosomal Escape Peptides are a match made perfect, then they will steal a march on the many competitors lined up at the cellular gate. For instance, take the macrocycle class.

"If macrocycles are to live up to their promise, the real impact will be through the intracellular targets for which the transformational potential is greatest. Indeed, the excitement surrounding macrocycles rests on the hope that this class of molecules will hit targets that are inaccessible to small molecules and biologics," said Joanne Kotz, excerpt from Bringing Macrocycles Full Circle.

The Center for Intracellular Delivery of Biologics have taken a novel approach to the problem of how to deliver large biological drugs into targeted cells. The Centre is focussed upon the action of pathogens;

"Stayton and his colleagues hope to mimic the molecular machines that pathogens have developed over time to transfer DNA, RNA, and proteins across cell membranes and reach the proper destination inside cells."

Phylogica's ownership of the phylomer peptide class including bacterial pathogens creates a formidable competitive advantage. Unlike biotech companies who seek to mimic nature, Phylogica can enlist nature so long as their discovery engines find the right structures.

Patrick Reid, the CSO of Peptidream was one of the scientists who threw their support behind the drug discovery and development think tank convened by SciBX. One of the main objectives of the think tank was to 'crack the code for cell permeability'. Stealing a march on Peptidream for the intracellular delivery of therapeutic cargoes would be rather ironic in light of the valuation model employed by Phylogica. After all, Reid would probably concur that the intracellular landscape is the main game.