Bio-Link presents a unique drug discovery platform based on modulation of the GTPase dynamin for the treatment of epilepsy and other CNS indications. Researchers at the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) and the University of Newcastle (UoN) have shown that inhibition of dynamin can prevent synaptic vesicle endocytosis, providing anti-convulsant activity in in vivo epilepsy models. Safety of modulating dynamin is supported by clinical experience utilising CNS drugs that potently modulate dynamin through off target effects. Additional therapeutic applications for Dynamin modulation may include other CNS diseases, kidney disease, bioterrorism applications and cancer.
This drug discovery platform includes:
- A portfolio of first-in-class candidate drugs and an extensive medicinal chemistry platform, including extensive in vitro and in cell Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) data.
- In vivo proof of concept studies through collaborations with the NIH / National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke Anti-Convulsant Screening Program (ASP) and the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), University of Melbourne.
- Early acute and maximum tolerated dose, pathology and toxicology data.
- Extensive collaborations between fundamental biologists, neurobiologists, medicinal chemists, in vivo biologists and clinicians.
- A novel target, the GTPase dynamin, based on a hypothesis driven novel mode of action for treatment of epilepsy.
- Correlative clinical data supporting the safety of inhibition of dynamin.
- An extensive patent portfolio including composition of matter and method of use patent applications, proprietary inhibitor screening assays and know-how.
- In vivo data for 30 compounds from five different chemical series in on average five different animal models, indicating that lead drug candidates provide anti-convulsant protection with bioavailability and limited toxicity. Efficacy observed in the 6Hz mouse and rat amygdala kindling models indicating dynamin inhibition may provide efficacy in refractory epilepsy patients (approx 25 - 30% of all patients).
- Legal certainty for partnering and licensing of IP through legal agreements amongst collaborating institutions.