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Small Molecule-Based Enzyme Inhibitors in the Treatment of Primary Hyperoxalurias. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11020074. [PMID: 33513899 PMCID: PMC7912158 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11020074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary hyperoxalurias (PHs) are a group of inherited alterations of the hepatic glyoxylate metabolism. PHs classification based on gene mutations parallel a variety of enzymatic defects, and all involve the harmful accumulation of calcium oxalate crystals that produce systemic damage. These geographically widespread rare diseases have a deep impact in the life quality of the patients. Until recently, treatments were limited to palliative measures and kidney/liver transplants in the most severe forms. Efforts made to develop pharmacological treatments succeeded with the biotechnological agent lumasiran, a siRNA product against glycolate oxidase, which has become the first effective therapy to treat PH1. However, small molecule drugs have classically been preferred since they benefit from experience and have better pharmacological properties. The development of small molecule inhibitors designed against key enzymes of glyoxylate metabolism is on the focus of research. Enzyme inhibitors are successful and widely used in several diseases and their pharmacokinetic advantages are well known. In PHs, effective enzymatic targets have been determined and characterized for drug design and interesting inhibitory activities have been achieved both in vitro and in vivo. This review describes the most recent advances towards the development of small molecule enzyme inhibitors in the treatment of PHs, introducing the multi-target approach as a more effective and safe therapeutic option.
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2
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Childers WE, Elokely KM, Abou-Gharbia M. The Resurrection of Phenotypic Drug Discovery. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:1820-1828. [PMID: 33062159 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior to genetic mapping, the majority of drug discovery efforts involved phenotypic screening, wherein compounds were screened in either in vitro or in vivo models thought to mimic the disease state of interest. While never completely abandoning phenotypic approaches, the labor intensive nature of such tests encouraged the pharmaceutical industry to move away from them in favor of target-based drug discovery, which facilitated throughput and allowed for the efficient screening of large numbers of compounds. However, a consequence of reliance on target-based screening was an increased number of failures in clinical trials due to poor correlation between novel mechanistic targets and the actual disease state. As a result, the field has seen a recent resurrection in phenotypic drug discovery approaches. In this work, we highlight some recent phenotypic projects from our industrial past and in our current academic drug discovery environment that have provided encouraging results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne E. Childers
- Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research, Temple University School of Pharmacy, 3307 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Khaled M. Elokely
- Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research, Temple University School of Pharmacy, 3307 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, 1925 N. 12th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Magid Abou-Gharbia
- Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research, Temple University School of Pharmacy, 3307 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
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3
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Papulino C, Chianese U, Nicoletti MM, Benedetti R, Altucci L. Preclinical and Clinical Epigenetic-Based Reconsideration of Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome. Front Genet 2020; 11:563718. [PMID: 33101381 PMCID: PMC7522569 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.563718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics has achieved a profound impact in the biomedical field, providing new experimental opportunities and innovative therapeutic strategies to face a plethora of diseases. In the rare diseases scenario, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a pediatric pathological condition characterized by a complex molecular basis, showing alterations in the expression of different growth-regulating genes. The molecular origin of BWS is associated with impairments in the genomic imprinting of two domains at the 11p15.5 chromosomal region. The first domain contains three different regions: insulin growth like factor gene (IGF2), H19, and abnormally methylated DMR1 region. The second domain consists of cell proliferation and regulating-genes such as CDKN1C gene encoding for cyclin kinase inhibitor its role is to block cell proliferation. Although most cases are sporadic, about 5-10% of BWS patients have inheritance characteristics. In the 11p15.5 region, some of the patients have maternal chromosomal rearrangements while others have Uniparental Paternal Disomy UPD(11)pat. Defects in DNA methylation cause alteration of genes and the genomic structure equilibrium leading uncontrolled cell proliferation, which is a typical tumorigenesis event. Indeed, in BWS patients an increased childhood tumor predisposition is observed. Here, we summarize the latest knowledge on BWS and focus on the impact of epigenetic alterations to an increased cancer risk development and to metabolic disorders. Moreover, we highlight the correlation between assisted reproductive technologies and this rare disease. We also discuss intriguing aspects of BWS in twinning. Epigenetic therapies in clinical trials have already demonstrated effectiveness in oncological and non-oncological diseases. In this review, we propose a potential "epigenetic-based" approaches may unveil new therapeutic options for BWS patients. Although the complexity of the syndrome is high, patients can be able to lead a normal life but tumor predispositions might impair life expectancy. In this sense epigenetic therapies should have a supporting role in order to guarantee a good prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Papulino
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Ugo Chianese
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Maddalena Nicoletti
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Benedetti
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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4
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Davis RL. Mechanism of Action and Target Identification: A Matter of Timing in Drug Discovery. iScience 2020; 23:101487. [PMID: 32891054 PMCID: PMC7479624 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Two opposing viewpoints are held regarding the need for understanding a drug's molecular target and mechanism of action. One extreme viewpoint is that it is unnecessary, because, after all, there are many beneficial drugs in use for which the target and mechanism of action remain unknown. A second extreme viewpoint is that target identification and mechanism of action should be elucidated very early in the drug discovery process due to the tangible benefits provided by this knowledge. I offer an intermediate perspective that considers the complexity of the disease of interest, the existence of a standard-of-care treatment, and the resources available to the investigator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald L Davis
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research Institute Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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5
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Mei H, Han J, White S, Graham DJ, Izawa K, Sato T, Fustero S, Meanwell NA, Soloshonok VA. Tailor-Made Amino Acids and Fluorinated Motifs as Prominent Traits in Modern Pharmaceuticals. Chemistry 2020; 26:11349-11390. [PMID: 32359086 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202000617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Structural analysis of modern pharmaceutical practices allows for the identification of two rapidly growing trends: the introduction of tailor-made amino acids and the exploitation of fluorinated motifs. Curiously, the former represents one of the most ubiquitous classes of naturally occurring compounds, whereas the latter is the most xenobiotic and comprised virtually entirely of man-made derivatives. Herein, 39 selected compounds, featuring both of these traits in the same molecule, are profiled. The total synthesis, source of the corresponding amino acids and fluorinated residues, and medicinal chemistry aspects and biological properties of the molecules are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Mei
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, P.R. China
| | - Jianlin Han
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, P.R. China
| | - Sarah White
- Oakwood Chemical, Inc., 730 Columbia Hwy. N, Estill, SC, 29918, USA
| | - Daniel J Graham
- Oakwood Chemical, Inc., 730 Columbia Hwy. N, Estill, SC, 29918, USA
| | - Kunisuke Izawa
- Hamari Chemicals Ltd., 1-4-29 Kunijima, Higashi-Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, 533-0024, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Sato
- Hamari Chemicals Ltd., 1-4-29 Kunijima, Higashi-Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, 533-0024, Japan
| | - Santos Fustero
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Valencia, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nicholas A Meanwell
- Department of Small Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, 08543-4000, USA
| | - Vadim A Soloshonok
- Department of Organic Chemistry I, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel Lardizábal 3, 20018, San Sebastián, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, María Díaz de Haro 3, Plaza Bizkaia, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
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6
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Cole BA, Johnson RM, Dejakaisaya H, Pilati N, Fishwick CWG, Muench SP, Lippiat JD. Structure-Based Identification and Characterization of Inhibitors of the Epilepsy-Associated K Na1.1 (KCNT1) Potassium Channel. iScience 2020; 23:101100. [PMID: 32408169 PMCID: PMC7225746 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant epileptic encephalopathies of infancy have been associated with KCNT1 gain-of-function mutations, which increase the activity of KNa1.1 sodium-activated potassium channels. Pharmacological inhibition of hyperactive KNa1.1 channels by quinidine has been proposed as a stratified treatment, but mostly this has not been successful, being linked to the low potency and lack of specificity of the drug. Here we describe the use of a previously determined cryo-electron microscopy-derived KNa1.1 structure and mutational analysis to identify how quinidine binds to the channel pore and, using computational methods, screened for compounds predicated to bind to this site. We describe six compounds that inhibited KNa1.1 channels with low- and sub-micromolar potencies, likely also through binding in the intracellular pore vestibule. In hERG inhibition and cytotoxicity assays, two compounds were ineffective. These may provide starting points for the development of new pharmacophores and could become tool compounds to study this channel further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethan A Cole
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Rachel M Johnson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Hattapark Dejakaisaya
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Nadia Pilati
- Autifony Srl, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Citta' della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti, 4f, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Colin W G Fishwick
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Stephen P Muench
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Jonathan D Lippiat
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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7
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Jing R, Corbett JL, Cai J, Beeson GC, Beeson CC, Chan SS, Dimmock DP, Lazcares L, Geurts AM, Lemasters JJ, Duncan SA. A Screen Using iPSC-Derived Hepatocytes Reveals NAD + as a Potential Treatment for mtDNA Depletion Syndrome. Cell Rep 2018; 25:1469-1484.e5. [PMID: 30404003 PMCID: PMC6289059 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with mtDNA depletion syndrome 3 (MTDPS3) often die as children from liver failure caused by severe reduction in mtDNA content. The identification of treatments has been impeded by an inability to culture and manipulate MTDPS3 primary hepatocytes. Here we generated DGUOK-deficient hepatocyte-like cells using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and used them to identify drugs that could improve mitochondrial ATP production and mitochondrial function. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) was found to improve mitochondrial function in DGUOK-deficient hepatocyte-like cells by activating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α). NAD treatment also improved ATP production in MTDPS3-null rats and in hepatocyte-like cells that were deficient in ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase subunit M2B (RRM2B), suggesting that it could be broadly effective. Our studies reveal that DGUOK-deficient iPSC-derived hepatocytes recapitulate the pathophysiology of MTDPS3 in culture and can be used to identify therapeutics for mtDNA depletion syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Jing
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - James L Corbett
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Gyda C Beeson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Craig C Beeson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Sherine S Chan
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - David P Dimmock
- Human Molecular Genetics Center and Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, 3020 Children's Way, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Lynn Lazcares
- Division of Pediatric Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Aron M Geurts
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - John J Lemasters
- Center for Cell Death, Injury and Regeneration, Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Stephen A Duncan
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 86 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
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8
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Moffat JG, Vincent F, Lee JA, Eder J, Prunotto M. Opportunities and challenges in phenotypic drug discovery: an industry perspective. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2017; 16:531-543. [PMID: 28685762 DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2017.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 496] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Phenotypic drug discovery (PDD) approaches do not rely on knowledge of the identity of a specific drug target or a hypothesis about its role in disease, in contrast to the target-based strategies that have been widely used in the pharmaceutical industry in the past three decades. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence in interest in PDD approaches based on their potential to address the incompletely understood complexity of diseases and their promise of delivering first-in-class drugs, as well as major advances in the tools for cell-based phenotypic screening. Nevertheless, PDD approaches also have considerable challenges, such as hit validation and target deconvolution. This article focuses on the lessons learned by researchers engaged in PDD in the pharmaceutical industry and considers the impact of 'omics' knowledge in defining a cellular disease phenotype in the era of precision medicine, introducing the concept of a chain of translatability. We particularly aim to identify features and areas in which PDD can best deliver value to drug discovery portfolios and can contribute to the identification and the development of novel medicines, and to illustrate the challenges and uncertainties that are associated with PDD in order to help set realistic expectations with regard to its benefits and costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Moffat
- Biochemical &Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, USA
| | - Fabien Vincent
- Discovery Sciences, Primary Pharmacology Group, Pfizer, Groton, Connecticut 06340, USA
| | - Jonathan A Lee
- Department of Quantitative Biology, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, USA
| | - Jörg Eder
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marco Prunotto
- Phenotype and Target ID, Chemical Biology, pRED, Roche, 4070 Basel, Switzerland. Present address: Office of Innovation, Immunology, Infectious Diseases &Ophthalmology (I2O), Roche Late Stage Development, 124 Grenzacherstrasse, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
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9
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Ekins
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 5616 Hilltop Needmore Road, Fuquay Varina, NC27526, USA
- Phoenix Nest, P.O. BOX 150057, Brooklyn NY 11215, USA
- Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation, 432 Park Avenue South – 4 floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
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10
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Swinney DC. Challenges and Hurdles to Business as Usual in Drug Development for Treatment of Rare Diseases. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2016; 100:339-41. [PMID: 27393380 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Only 10-15 first-in-class new medicines are approved each year by the global pharmaceutical industry for all diseases, of which less than a third is for rare (orphan) diseases. The drug discovery processes to identify rare and common diseases are similar, suggesting it will be impossible to discover new drugs for even a small fraction of the rare diseases using the current paradigm. Different approaches are required to address this large unmet medical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Swinney
- Institute for Rare and Neglected Diseases Drug Diseases, Mountain View, California, USA.
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11
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Matched analysis on orphan drug designations and approvals: cross regional analysis in the United States, the European Union, and Japan. Drug Discov Today 2016; 21:544-9. [PMID: 26945941 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2016.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Orphan drugs have become a key area of focus in drug development for resolving unmet medical needs. The Orphan Drug Act in the USA and similar legislation in Japan, the European Union (EU), and several other countries has been enacted since 1983. This study provides a quantitative review of all orphan drug designations and approvals since the implementation of orphan drug legislation in key three regions. This study also identified and reviewed 'commonly designated' drugs across regions. Out of approximately 5000 designations, approximately 800 designations were common among the USA, EU, and/or Japan. Regional similarities, differences, and trends were identified. It is important to understand these aspects and the crucial role of orphan drug designation in global drug development.
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12
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Ekins S, Wood J. Incentives for Starting Small Companies Focused on Rare and Neglected Diseases. Pharm Res 2015; 33:809-15. [PMID: 26666772 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-015-1841-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Starting biotech or pharmaceutical companies is traditionally thought to be based around a scientist, their technology platform or a clinical candidate spun out from another company. Between us we have taken a different approach and formed two small early stage companies after initially leveraging the perspective of a parent with a child with a life-threatening rare disease. Phoenix Nest ( http://www.phoenixnestbiotech.com/ ) was co-founded to work on treatments for Sanfilippo syndrome a devastating neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder. In the space of just over 3 years we have built up collaborations with leading scientists in academia and industry and been awarded multiple NIH small business grants. The second company, Collaborations Pharmaceuticals Inc. ( http://www.collaborationspharma.com/ ) was founded to address some of the other 7000 or so rare diseases as well as neglected infectious diseases. The Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher is likely the most important incentive for companies working on rare diseases with very small populations. This may also be partially responsible for the recent acquisitions of rare disease companies with late stage candidates. Lessons learned in the process of starting our companies are that rare disease parents or patients can readily partner with a scientist and fund research through NIH grants rather than venture capital or angel investors initially. This process may be slow so patience and perseverance is key. We would encourage other pharmaceutical scientists to meet rare disease parents, patients or advocates and work with them to further the science on their diseases and create a source of future drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Ekins
- Phoenix Nest, Inc., P.O. BOX 150057, Brooklyn, New York, 11215, USA. .,Collaborations Pharmaceuticals Inc., 5616 Hilltop Needmore Road, Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, 27526, USA.
| | - Jill Wood
- Phoenix Nest, Inc., P.O. BOX 150057, Brooklyn, New York, 11215, USA.,Jonah's Just Begun, P.O. Box 150057, Brooklyn, New York, 11215, USA
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13
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Ekins S, Litterman NK, Arnold RJG, Burgess RW, Freundlich JS, Gray SJ, Higgins JJ, Langley B, Willis DE, Notterpek L, Pleasure D, Sereda MW, Moore A. A brief review of recent Charcot-Marie-Tooth research and priorities. F1000Res 2015; 4:53. [PMID: 25901280 PMCID: PMC4392824 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.6160.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This brief review of current research progress on Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a summary of discussions initiated at the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation (HNF) scientific advisory board meeting on November 7, 2014. It covers recent published and unpublished
in vitro and
in vivo research. We discuss recent promising preclinical work for CMT1A, the development of new biomarkers, the characterization of different animal models, and the analysis of the frequency of gene mutations in patients with CMT. We also describe how progress in related fields may benefit CMT therapeutic development, including the potential of gene therapy and stem cell research. We also discuss the potential to assess and improve the quality of life of CMT patients. This summary of CMT research identifies some of the gaps which may have an impact on upcoming clinical trials. We provide some priorities for CMT research and areas which HNF can support. The goal of this review is to inform the scientific community about ongoing research and to avoid unnecessary overlap, while also highlighting areas ripe for further investigation. The general collaborative approach we have taken may be useful for other rare neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Ekins
- Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation, New York, NY, 10016, USA ; Collaborations in Chemistry, Fuquay Varina, NC, 27526, USA ; Collaborative Drug Discovery, Burlingame, CA, 94010, USA
| | | | - Renée J G Arnold
- Arnold Consultancy & Technology LLC, New York, NY, 10023, USA ; Master of Public Health Program, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10029, USA ; Quorum Consulting, Inc, San Francisco, CA, 94104, USA
| | - Robert W Burgess
- The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Bar Harbour, ME, 04609, USA
| | - Joel S Freundlich
- Department of Medicine, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Pathogens, Rutgers University - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Steven J Gray
- Gene Therapy Center and Dept. of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7352, USA
| | | | - Brett Langley
- Burke-Cornell Medical Research Institute, White Plains, NY, 10605, USA ; Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Dianna E Willis
- Burke-Cornell Medical Research Institute, White Plains, NY, 10605, USA
| | - Lucia Notterpek
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - David Pleasure
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA ; Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, c/o Shriners Hospital, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Michael W Sereda
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, 37075, Germany ; Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center (UMG), Göttingen, D-37075, Germany
| | - Allison Moore
- Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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14
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Abstract
Rare disease research has reached a tipping point, with the confluence of scientific and technologic developments that if appropriately harnessed, could lead to key breakthroughs and treatments for this set of devastating disorders. Industry-wide trends have revealed that the traditional drug discovery research and development (R&D) model is no longer viable, and drug companies are evolving their approach. Rather than only pursue blockbuster therapeutics for heterogeneous, common diseases, drug companies have increasingly begun to shift their focus to rare diseases. In academia, advances in genetics analyses and disease mechanisms have allowed scientific understanding to mature, but the lack of funding and translational capability severely limits the rare disease research that leads to clinical trials. Simultaneously, there is a movement towards increased research collaboration, more data sharing, and heightened engagement and active involvement by patients, advocates, and foundations. The growth in networks and social networking tools presents an opportunity to help reach other patients but also find researchers and build collaborations. The growth of collaborative software that can enable researchers to share their data could also enable rare disease patients and foundations to manage their portfolio of funded projects for developing new therapeutics and suggest drug repurposing opportunities. Still there are many thousands of diseases without treatments and with only fragmented research efforts. We will describe some recent progress in several rare diseases used as examples and propose how collaborations could be facilitated. We propose that the development of a center of excellence that integrates and shares informatics resources for rare diseases sponsored by all of the stakeholders would help foster these initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michele Rhee
- National Brain Tumor Society, Newton, MA, 02458, USA
| | - David C Swinney
- Institute for Rare and Neglected Diseases Drug Discovery (iRND3), Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA
| | - Sean Ekins
- Collaborative Drug Discovery, Inc., Burlingame, CA, 94010, USA ; Collaborations in Chemistry, Fuquay Varina, NC, 27526, USA ; Phoenix Nest Inc., Brooklyn, NY, 11215, USA ; Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation, New York, NY, 10016, USA ; Hannah's Hope Fund, Rexford, NY, NY 12148, USA
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Ekins S. Collecting rare diseases. F1000Res 2014; 3:260. [PMID: 25580231 PMCID: PMC4288410 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.5577.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This editorial introduces the
F1000Research rare disease collection. It is common knowledge that for new treatments to be successful there has to be a partnership between the many interested parties such as the patient, advocate, disease foundations, the academic scientists, venture funding organizations, biotech companies, pharmaceutical companies, NIH, and the FDA. Our intention is to provide a forum for discussion and dissemination of any rare disease related topics that will advance scientific understanding and progress to treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Ekins
- Collaborations in Chemistry, Fuquay Varina, NC, 27526, USA
- Collaborative Drug Discovery, Burlingame, CA, 94010, USA
- Phoenix Nest, Brooklyn, NY, 11215, USA
- Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Hannah's Hope Fund, Rexford, NY, 12148, USA
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Swinney DC. The value of translational biomarkers to phenotypic assays. Front Pharmacol 2014; 5:171. [PMID: 25076910 PMCID: PMC4097030 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2014.00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic assays are tools essential for drug discovery. Phenotypic assays have different types of endpoints depending on the goals; (1) empirical endpoints for basic research to understand the underlying biology that will lead to identification of translation biomarkers, (2) empirical endpoints to identify undesired effects related to toxicity of drug candidates, and (3) knowledge-based endpoints (biomarkers) for drug discovery which ideally are translational biomarkers that will be used to identify new drug candidates and their corresponding molecular mechanisms of action. The value of phenotypic assays is increased through effective alignment of phenotypic assay endpoints with the objectives of the relevant stage in the drug discovery and development cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Swinney
- Institute for Rare and Neglected Diseases Drug Discovery, Mountain ViewCA, USA
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