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ICAgen
Download PDF Members: Icagen is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel small molecule drugs that modulate ion channel targets. The company has developed an integrated technology platform that allows for the efficient discovery of drug leads. Ion channels are protein structures found in virtually every cell of the human body. Ion channels span the cell membrane and regulate the flow of ions, which are charged particles such as sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride, into and out of cells. There are currently 35 drugs that modulate ion channels and are marketed by third parties for multiple therapeutic indications. Key elements of our ion channel technology include our cloning of over 300 human ion channel genes, which we believe represents substantially all of the human ion channel genome; expertise in developing high throughput screens for ion channel targets; ion channel focused chemistry libraries of over 200,000 compounds; proprietary computational chemistry methods; an extensive ion channel database, which integrates biological and chemical information about our targets and compounds; pharmacology and bioanalytic capabilities; and an extensive intellectual property portfolio. By integrating a number of scientific and drug development disciplines, we are able to efficiently discover and develop small molecule compounds that are more specific for the medically relevant ion channel, and therefore have a reduced likelihood of adverse side effects and clinical failure. We pursue a target class approach to ion channel drug discovery. In this approach, we start with all potential ion channel targets and seek to identify applications to the treatment of various diseases. We believe that our approach provides for a more efficient drug discovery process, because our in-depth understanding of the targets and methods for finding small molecule modulators of these targets, obviates the need to develop new research tools each time a new target is identified. Instead, we use our knowledge and skill to quickly find potential small molecule modulators of particular ion channel targets. We then use these small molecules to validate the particular target in a relevant animal model of disease. If a small molecule demonstrates activity in the animal model, it both validates the target and provides a starting point for further medicinal chemistry efforts. Utilizing our proprietary know-how and integrated scientific and drug development capabilities, we have identified multiple drug candidates that modulate ion channels. Our four most advanced programs are: sickle cell disease, for which the company is evaluating future development options; lead compounds for epilepsy and neuropathic pain, for which the Company is conducting preclinical studies; a compound for atrial fibrillation, for which the Company’s collaborator Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is conducting preclinical studies; and lead compounds for dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, for which the Company’s collaborator Astellas Pharma Inc. is conducting preclinical studies, and lead compounds for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which were derived from the collaboration and for which the Company is conducting preclinical studies. We are also conducting ongoing drug discovery programs focused on new therapeutics for pain disorders, inflammatory disorders and glaucoma. In addition to our internal programs, we have established collaborations with McNeil Pediatrics, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Yamanouchi to further capitalize on our ion channel capabilities.
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