Lectus Therapeutics, a drug discovery and development company, says it has gained pivotal preclinical proof-of-concept data for one of its lead in-house programmes
The results described the discovery and characterisation of its novel and readily differentiated class of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel modulator compounds.
These small molecules affect the function of ion channels via unique accessory proteins.
Targeting accessory proteins has the potential to facilitate selective pharmacological control of specific ion channels and reduce side effects seen with existing, non-specific, ion channel drugs.
Data presented included Lectus's first proof-of-concept data for such compounds in preclinical pain models of inflammatory and neuropathic hyperalgesia.
These data represent a significant milestone for the company and further highlight the value of the company's proprietary functional proteomics discovery platform, Leptics (leveraged enabling proteomics technology for ion channel screening) and its unique approach to the discovery of the next-generation of ion channel drugs.
Roland Kozlowski, CEO of Lectus, commented: "Lectus is delighted to announce these important observations which represent a valuable endorsement of its approach to discovering first-in-class compounds that are clearly differentiated from existing therapeutics used in the management of neuropathic and inflammatory pain.
"The next stage for the company's growth will involve advancing its internal programs into development either alone or in partnership and forging discovery alliances with pharmaceutical companies".
Professor Stuart Bevan added: "I was very pleased to collaborate with Lectus and evaluate its next-generation ion-channel modulator compounds which show very good efficacy in models of hyperalgesia and may therefore have utility for the treatment of pain in humans."
