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Cortical Pty Ltd Presents MIF Antagonist Data at American College of Rheumatology 2005 Annual Scientific Meeting
01 / 12 / 2005
Melbourne-based discovery research and development company Cortical Pty Ltd has recently presented pre-clinical data on its anti-inflammatory compound COR100140 at the 2005 ACR/AHRP Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego, California, November 12-17, 2005.
Cortical has developed small molecule antagonists of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) - a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in many human inflammatory diseases and cancer, including rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, atherosclerosis, and multiple sclerosis.
Data on COR100140 - one of Cortical's MIF antagonist compounds - was presented by Eric Morand, M.D. Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Cortical at a presentation entitled "Efficacy of a Novel, Orally Cytokine Inhibitor in a Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis" on November 15, 2005.
In an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis, oral treatment with this compound was effective in significantly reducing joint swelling and histological evidence of inflammation and damage in the joint. A well-known drug on the market etanercept was not effective in this model.
"These data strongly supports the development of Cortical's MIF antagonist compounds as drugs against rheumatoid arthritis," said Dr Morand.
Dr Morand was also co-author on an oral presentation in an ACR Concurrent Super Session entitled "MIF Deficency Ameliorates Lupus in MRL/LPR Mice". Dr Alberta Hoi from Monash University described the effects of deletion of the MIF gene on development of lupus in mice genetically prone to this disease. MIF deficiency resulted in a significantly reduced incidence of renal and skin symptoms and improved survival. Finally, a prospective study in humans showed significant elevation of levels of serum MIF in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared to controls.
"These data suggest that MIF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lupus and that inhibition of MIF is a novel therapeutic opportunity in SLE" stated Dr Morand.
"COR100140 is one of a series of compounds Cortical is developing as novel first-in-class small molecule cytokine antagonists. The data we have generated provides pre-clinical proof-of-concept for Cortical's MIF antagonist development program," stated Su-Peing Ng MD, MBA, CEO of Cortical.
About MIF
MIF is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a role in many human inflammatory diseases and cancer, including rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, atheroma, and multiple sclerosis. Cortical's small molecule MIF antagonist has potential application in these conditions.
Treatment of inflammatory diseases in the past has been non-specific, based on broad-spectrum immunosuppressant drugs such as corticosteroids. Though beneficial, these drugs have universal side effects, which limit their use.
Small molecule cytokine antagonists have never previously been developed for therapeutic use, but may provide a valuable combination of effectiveness in treatment, potential oral administration, and relatively low cost - which may allow more patients to receive the treatment.
About Cortical
Cortical is a Melbourne-based discovery research and development company, which was founded in 2003 by Associate Professor Eric Morand and Dr Magdy Iskander of Monash University. Cortical's mission is to produce small-molecule solutions to therapeutic targets in inflammation, and to commercialise these via strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
In November 2004, Cortical announced it was awarded a Federal Government R&D Start grant of more than $3 million to develop new drugs against inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, psoriasis, asthma, multiple sclerosis and colitis.
The $3.03 million grant, from AusIndustry, will help conduct Phase I clinical trials on the company's small molecule macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) antagonist for treatment of inflammatory conditions.
Dr Morand is also part of a team of scientists at Monash University that was awarded an NIH grant of US$1M to study the role of
Cortical has developed small molecule antagonists of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) - a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in many human inflammatory diseases and cancer, including rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, atherosclerosis, and multiple sclerosis.
Data on COR100140 - one of Cortical's MIF antagonist compounds - was presented by Eric Morand, M.D. Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Cortical at a presentation entitled "Efficacy of a Novel, Orally Cytokine Inhibitor in a Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis" on November 15, 2005.
In an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis, oral treatment with this compound was effective in significantly reducing joint swelling and histological evidence of inflammation and damage in the joint. A well-known drug on the market etanercept was not effective in this model.
"These data strongly supports the development of Cortical's MIF antagonist compounds as drugs against rheumatoid arthritis," said Dr Morand.
Dr Morand was also co-author on an oral presentation in an ACR Concurrent Super Session entitled "MIF Deficency Ameliorates Lupus in MRL/LPR Mice". Dr Alberta Hoi from Monash University described the effects of deletion of the MIF gene on development of lupus in mice genetically prone to this disease. MIF deficiency resulted in a significantly reduced incidence of renal and skin symptoms and improved survival. Finally, a prospective study in humans showed significant elevation of levels of serum MIF in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared to controls.
"These data suggest that MIF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lupus and that inhibition of MIF is a novel therapeutic opportunity in SLE" stated Dr Morand.
"COR100140 is one of a series of compounds Cortical is developing as novel first-in-class small molecule cytokine antagonists. The data we have generated provides pre-clinical proof-of-concept for Cortical's MIF antagonist development program," stated Su-Peing Ng MD, MBA, CEO of Cortical.
About MIF
MIF is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a role in many human inflammatory diseases and cancer, including rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, atheroma, and multiple sclerosis. Cortical's small molecule MIF antagonist has potential application in these conditions.
Treatment of inflammatory diseases in the past has been non-specific, based on broad-spectrum immunosuppressant drugs such as corticosteroids. Though beneficial, these drugs have universal side effects, which limit their use.
Small molecule cytokine antagonists have never previously been developed for therapeutic use, but may provide a valuable combination of effectiveness in treatment, potential oral administration, and relatively low cost - which may allow more patients to receive the treatment.
About Cortical
Cortical is a Melbourne-based discovery research and development company, which was founded in 2003 by Associate Professor Eric Morand and Dr Magdy Iskander of Monash University. Cortical's mission is to produce small-molecule solutions to therapeutic targets in inflammation, and to commercialise these via strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
In November 2004, Cortical announced it was awarded a Federal Government R&D Start grant of more than $3 million to develop new drugs against inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, psoriasis, asthma, multiple sclerosis and colitis.
The $3.03 million grant, from AusIndustry, will help conduct Phase I clinical trials on the company's small molecule macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) antagonist for treatment of inflammatory conditions.
Dr Morand is also part of a team of scientists at Monash University that was awarded an NIH grant of US$1M to study the role of