Start-Up Previews (05/2008)
Executive Summary
A preview of the emerging health care companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group, "A Brighter Outlook for Cystic Fibrosis Drugs," features profiles of APT Pharmaceuticals, Aridis, and BioMarck Pharmaceuticals. Plus these Start-Ups Across Health Care: Cannasat, Nanobiotix, Reveal Sciences, and Vertebration.
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Vertebration Inc.
People who suffer from lower back pain and opt for spinal surgery may soon have another minimally invasive option for filling the space left following the removal of the damaged or diseased disc. By inserting through a much smaller incision than current devices, the expandable XYcor spinal implant from Vertebration has the potential to spare significant trauma to the soft tissue and bone while it provides mechanical support during the fusion process between the vertebra of the spine.
APT Pharmaceuticals Inc.
When Novartis made clear its intention to acquire Chiron in 2005, a potentially important therapy for lung transplant patients was squeezed out by a numbers game. The drug candidate was an inhaled version of the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, and in a trial it had dramatically improved survival in lung transplant patients. Now, APT Pharmaceuticals takes over where Novartis left off, and it's preparing for a Phase III trial of the lung transplant drug.
BioMarck Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
BioMarck Pharmaceuticals is studying the role of the MARCKS protein (myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diseases like asthma and cystic fibrosis. In each of these diseases, excessive amounts of mucus are secreted, which leads to obstruction of the lung airways. Experiments in mice showed that inhibiting the protein led to decreased mucus secretion, reduced inflammation in the lungs, and improvements in lung air flow.