AmKor’s second series of NCEs comprises potent anti-oxidants which also have potent anti-inflammatory activity. The trademark NMDA antagonist activity of the Neu2000 series does not exist in these compounds, creating a very distinct activity profile with regard to commercial applications. The lead compound of this series is AAD2004. Neurotech currently functions as Amkor’s research partner for the early development of AAD2004. Preclinical and phase 1 human testing of AAD2004 for Alzheimer’s Disease and arthritis is being supported at Neurotech by a $20 million Korean government grant.

AAD2004 or its analog NG2006 may also have GI applications, which can roughly be divided into upper GI and lower GI applications. Generally, upper GI indications might include mucosal ulcerations, such as stomach and duodenal ulcers, while lower GI indications might include the more classical “inflammatory bowel disease” applications, such as ulcerative colitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Inflammation and oxidative tissue injury are significant components of all of these conditions.

Indeed, sulfasalazine, from which this series of NCEs is derived, is approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases. The sub-structural component, 5-ASA, that each of these drugs share is believed to be the primary active ingredient of sulfasalazine.

Patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis are first treated with 5-ASA drugs, while those who are either unresponsive or have more severe disease are progressed to corticosteroid treatment and eventually more potent immunomodulators. Progression through drug stages is accompanied by greater side effect risks.

The benefit of combining anti-inflammatory activity and anti-oxidant activity in these conditions has not previously been described, although single mechanism agents of both classes have been used either in humans or animal models successfully.

Thus, 5-ASA drugs, such as AAD2004 or NG2006, which encompass multiple mechanisms and have a more benign safety profile, could significantly improve upon the current treatment paradigm.

 

---