Proteome Systems reports positive results for Alzheimer's compound

Sydney proteomics R&D company Proteome Systems (ASX:PXL) has reported positive results from pre-clinical trials of its lead compound, the potent antioxidant EUK-189, in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease.

EUK-189 is one of a family of antioxidant molecules called synthetic catalytic scavengers (SCSs), developed by US biopharma Eukarion. Proteome Systems acquired Eukarion and its extensive list of SCSs last December.

The compounds are small, synthetic molecules that mimic the action of natural antioxidant enzymes that scavenge reactive oxygen, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide radicals in the brain.

Mutations in the gene for superoxidase dismutase (SOD) have been linked to hereditary susceptibility to motor neuron disease. There are SOD mimics among the SCSs that Proteome acquired with its purchase of Eukarion.

Patent granted

Proteome also announced today that the US Patent Office has issued a further patent for its SCS compounds, taking its tally of patents granted by overseas jurisdictions to 22 -- including 12 in the US alone.

Proteome's CEO, Stephen Porges, said tests of EUK-189 in a mouse model of early-onset human Alzheimer's disease, conducted at the Buck Institute for Age Research, had shown it inhibits neuronal damage in the brain.

In Alzheimer's disease, a neurotoxic protein fragment, beta amyloid, spontaneously aggregates in the brain, impairing cognition and memory.

Unlike the experimental copper-chelating drug developed by Melbourne biotech Prana (ASX: ) to treat Alzheimer's disease, Proteome's SCR molecules are designed to prevent oxidative stress by de-fusing the toxic free radicals, rather than address the pathological processes that spawn them.

The amyloid protein aggregates to form plaque-like deposits in the brain. According to Proteome, there is evidence that the deposits also cause cataracts in the eyes, both in humans and the Alzheimer's mouse model -- so the effect of the drugs on quenching oxidative stress in the brain can be assessed by proxy, from reduced cataract formation, as well as directly, by brain autopsy.

Porges said some of Proteome's most promising SCS molecules are around 100 times more potent than the native enzymes they are designed to mimic.

Researchers dosed the Alzheimer's mice regularly with EUK-189 regularly over 12 months, and reported a substantial slowing of cataract formation.

The compounds have already been shown to inhibit neuronal damage caused by Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke and natural ageing.

Asked when in Proteome planned to take EUK-189 into trials in human volunteers, Porges said "shortly", but said they would probably be conducted in the US, with the possibility of Australian research agencies becoming involved in phase 2 trials.