Kalytera Therapeutics, Inc. (TSX VENTURE: KALY and OTCQB: KALTF) (the “Company” or “Kalytera”) today announced a major step forward in its program to develop the first cannabinoid-derived pain treatment targeting activation of alpha3 glycine receptors.
When activated, the alpha3 glycine receptor strongly blocks pain signals from being sent to the brain. Kalytera, and its research partner, Beetlebung Pharma Ltd. (BPL), have carried out a medicinal chemistry program to identify a novel analogue of cannabidiol (CBD) that will block such pain signals via the activation of the alpha3 glycine receptor channel in the spinal cord. To date, no company has introduced into the market an agent specifically targeting this receptor.
Through a series of manipulations of the structure of CBD, a new compound has been invented. This new compound is 40-fold more potent than desoxy-CBD, which is the prototypic alpha3 glycine receptor agonist. The new compound activates only the alpha3 glycine receptor and has no effect on a closely related protein, known as the alpha1 glycine receptor, which may produce unwanted symptoms of muscle weakness.
Based on these findings, Kalytera believes that this novel molecule constitutes the first completelyselective alpha3 glycine receptor agonist that can potently activate this critical analgesic pathway without producing complications via the alpha1 glycine receptor pathway.
The high potency of the compound and its total selectivity justify its advancement to human clinical testing as a potential substitute for opioids in the treatment of severe pain. Kalytera is now preparing to evaluate the compound in various animal models in order to select the optimal pain setting in which to conduct human clinical testing.
Patents for this compound have been filed in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, and Kalytera has obtained an exclusive, worldwide license for this compound from BPL. BPL is an Israeli-based pharmaceutical discovery company focused on cannabinoid-based therapeutics for the treatment of human disease.
The objective of our program is to develop a potent, non-psychotropic, oral analgesic for intractable pain that will be safe and well tolerated. The cannabinoid compound that has been invented has the potential to achieve these goals, and become a next generation pain medication, stated Robert Farrell, President and CEO of Kalytera. “This novel compound may provide effective pain reduction, without the risks of addiction or respiratory suppression that exist with opioid analgesics. We have also found a way to make this compound water soluble, which will allow for treatment of acute pain in in-patient settings, such as childbirth, short surgical procedures, and post-operative pain care.
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