Pharmaceutical Technology Editors

NRG Therapeutics, a UK-based neuroscience company targeting mitochondrial dysfunction, and Domainex, a UK-based integrated medicines research service company, have formed a collaboration to develop novel small-molecule, disease-modifying drugs to treat Parkinson's disease, motor neuron disease (MND), and other debilitating chronic neurodegenerative disorders.

Under the deal, Domainex will provide fully integrated lead optimization services, including assay biology and medicinal and computational chemistry, according to a June 30, 2022 company press release. Over the course of a one-year period, NRG Therapeutics is expected to potentially invest more than £1 million (US$1.2 million) in the project. This program follows a £2.68 million (US$3.2 million) early stage Biomedical Catalyst award granted to NRG Therapeutics by Innovate UK.

NRG Therapeutics’ previous work, funded by Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech, the drug development arm of Parkinson’s UK, has resulted in the identification of a series of small-molecule leads that inhibit the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), a transmembrane protein in the mitochondrial inner membrane that is critical for cell signaling and regulated cell death. It has been shown that inhibition of mPTP in brain cells has neuroprotective benefits, as demonstrated in several preclinical models of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, according to the press release.

Domainex’s previous work, which has also been funded by Innovate UK, include a project targeting IκB kinase epsilon/TANK binding kinase 1 for treating inflammatory disease.

In their collaboration, NRG Therapeutics and Domainex will carry out an integrated lead optimization program to optimize the pharmaceutical properties of small-molecule mPTP inhibitors. Their ultimate aim is to nominate a pre-clinical candidate for treating Parkinson’s or MND.

“We hope that this program will result in a new treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s, which will ultimately benefit patients who desperately need new treatment options for these devasting disease,” said Tom Mander, CEO of Domainex, in the press release.

“Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common underlying pathology in many degenerative diseases, and there is a substantial body of preclinical data available, which demonstrates that inhibition of the mPTP in the brain prevents neuronal cell death, reduces neuroinflammation, and extends survival in animals. We look forward to working with Domainex to progress the development of these compounds into potentially life-changing medicines,” said Neil Miller, co-founder and CEO of NRG Therapeutics, in the release.

Articles

NRG Therapeutics and Domainex aim to develop novel small-molecule drugs to treat neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease.

NRG Therapeutics and Domainex Partner on Parkinson’s Disease Drug Development Project

LG Chem Life Sciences (LG Chem), the life sciences division of the South Korean LG Group, is moving forward with investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies that prompted the company to exercise its renewal option as part of an ongoing collaboration with Avacta Group, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company. The renewal option has triggered a license renewal fee payment of $2 million to Avacta, according to a June 30, 2022 company press release.

Under the agreement, LG Chem has the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Avacta’s Affimer programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor with Affimer XT serum half-life extension on a global basis and for a range of indications. LG Chem will progress the PD-L1/XT candidate by starting pre-clinical studies, which are intended to form the basis of an IND submission.

Avacta and LG Chem had entered into a multi-target development agreement in December 2018 to develop Affimer therapeutics in several disease areas. In 2020, the companies expanded their partnership to include Avacta’s Affimer XT technology, which can be used to control the amount of time a drug spends in the blood, according to the press release.

“The initiation of IND-enabling studies represents a significant step towards first-in-human clinical trials of the Affimer platform, which is a key value driver for the technology and for Avacta,” said Alastair Smith, CEO, Avacta Group, in the release.

LG Chem has decided to proceed with IND-enabling studies and has renewed a license with Avacta.

LG Chem Renews License with Avacta for IND Studies

Colder Products Company’s AseptiQuik G DC Series Connector is designed to connect and disconnect tubing aseptically through a single, sterile connection. The latest in the company’s AseptiQuik G line of genderless sterile connectors, the product can make quick sterile connections and disconnections in both sterile and non-sterile environments without requiring any ancillary equipment.

The AseptiQuik G DC connector’s “FLIP-CLICK-PULL” assembly is designed to help users transfer liquids easily. After transfer is complete, a simple two-step disconnection process maintains system sterility. AseptiQuik G DC connector hose barb termination sizes include quarter inch, three-eighth inch, and half-inch sizes.

The AseptiQuik G DC connector is a single, sterile connection technology that can connect and disconnect tubing aseptically.

Aseptic Tubing Connector

HEMCO’s UniFlow Radioisotope Fume Hood 

HEMCO’s UniFlow Radioisotope Fume Hood is designed to meet strict requirements for lab work involving radiochemicals. The product is constructed with a welded one-piece seamless type 304 stainless-steel interior fume chamber with all corners coved for easy cleaning. The work surface is welded to the fume chamber liner and reinforced to support weight loads associated with isotope work, such as lead barriers and equipment.

The fume hoods come in 48-inch, 60-inch, and 72-inch widths and can be outfitted with various accessories such as service fixtures, electrical service options, cabinets/tables, and suitable exhaust blowers to safely remove hazardous fumes or particulates. LED lighting and a vertical slide tempered glass sash are also included.

The ROSS Mixing/Melting and Holding Tank System can generate up to 10 psig internal pressure to produce potent and reactive materials. 

Radiochemical Fume Hood

Steriline’s Robotic Nest Filling Machine

Steriline’s Robotic Nest Filling Machine is designed to aseptically process injectable drugs in a more efficient, safe, and flexible manner than traditional alternatives. By minimizing human intervention, the machine aims to produce a higher quality product with fewer operator mistakes.

The machine automatically adapts its process to recipes that have been registered in its database. Once a specific container is registered in this database, special sensors in the machine can detect the type and capacity of the containers. These sensors can also identify any non-compliant pieces and manage them without technician intervention, reducing waste and downtime.

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Steriline’s Robotic Nest Filling Machine is designed to minimize human intervention in aseptic processing of injectable drugs. 

Robotic Injectable Drug Processor

ROSS Mixing/Melting and Holding Tank System

The ROSS Mixing/Melting and Holding Tank System is a custom-designed machine that can produce highly potent and reactive materials at 350 °F and up to 10 psig internal pressure. The system includes a pressure-rated sealed enclosure with an operator-friendly safety glovebox and two mixers each equipped with a two-wing anchor agitator, Teflon scrapers, and jacketed six-gallon vessel.

A specially designed elevator system enables the mixers to be lowered to a maintenance position and raised to an operating height which allows for gravity feed from the melter to the holding tank. It also comes equipped with a hot oil heater and chilled water cooler.