It takes many hands to bring a new drug to market, and we are focused on becoming a great drug discovery studio, using our computational excellence to rapidly advance the discovery of new drug candidates in the areas of cancer and infectious diseases. We develop and validate these novel candidates and then out-license them to our larger biopharma partners.
By focusing on genetically-mediated types of cancer we can deliver near-term value in a mature market, worth at least $157 billion per annum, as precision-therapies replace existing chemotherapeutic drugs. By keeping one eye on novel antimicrobials for drug-resistant infections we can be ready to lead the way in the emerging Antibiotic Resistance market, which is estimated to become a $100 trillion problem by 2050.
Two disease target areas (acute lung infections and genetically-mediated cancers)
Curing genetically linked cancers holds profound significance in the realm of medical advancements and public health. Genetically linked cancers, arising from inherited genetic mutations, pose a heightened risk for affected individuals. Understanding and ultimately curing these cancers are critical, as it not only holds the promise of saving lives but also has the potential to break the cycle of familial susceptibility to the disease.
Curing lung infections, such as tuberculosis (TB), is of paramount importance for both individual and public health. TB is a highly contagious bacterial disease that primarily affects the lungs, causing symptoms like persistent cough, chest pain, and fatigue. Beyond the immediate impact on an individual’s well-being, the significance of curing lung infections lies in preventing the spread of the disease to others. TB, if left untreated, can become a major public health concern, leading to outbreaks and increased transmission within communities.
Two treatment types (aerosolised peptides and RNAi)
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are naturally occurring molecules that play a crucial role in the innate immune system of various organisms, including humans. These peptides exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even some parasites. Their ability to target a wide range of pathogens makes them potential candidates for the development of novel therapies to treat infections.
RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for treating cancer. The idea behind RNAi treatment for cancer is to exploit the natural cellular process of gene silencing to specifically target and inhibit the expression of genes that contribute to cancer growth and progression. Small RNA molecules, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) or short hairpin RNA (shRNA), are designed to target and bind to the mRNA of specific genes involved in cancer, triggering their degradation or inhibiting their translation into proteins.
