Anti-inflammatory drug candidate DMXD-011 shows efficacy in ex-vivo human studies
Domainex Ltd., based in Cambridge UK, is a leading provider of integrated drug discovery services. As a result of the work carried out by Domainex during an in-house research programme to identify inhibitors of protein kinases TBK1 and IKK-epsilon, DMXD-011 has been nominated as a preclinical drug candidate. The molecule is orally-bioavailable and highly selective. The recent human ex-vivo data outlined below indicates this drug should be effective in the treatment of interferonopathies such as lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, and scleroderma.
The literature (e.g. Hasan et al, 2016, Louis et al, 2018) suggests that inhibitors of TBK1 and IKK-epsilon should be highly-effective disease-modifying drugs for the treatment of interferonopathies, as well as for other inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Domainex has previously demonstrated the efficacy of DMXD-011 in animal models of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, in full accordance with these mechanistic observations from the scientific literature, without any evidence of side effects or toxicity.
Most recently, ex-vivo laboratory studies using blood samples taken from hospital patients suffering from a variety of interferonopathies were carried out by Domainex in collaboration with Dr Marjan Versnel of the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam. DMXD-011 was added to the patients’ blood samples, and the levels of inflammatory biomarkers in the blood were measured before and after chemical stimulation of the immune cells to mimic a flare-up of the auto-immune disease. DMXD-011 showed a strong dose-dependent reduction in the expression of these biomarkers. It is noteworthy that in analogous studies, AstraZeneca has reported that its recently-approved type 1 interferon receptor antibody anifrolumab (SaphneloTM) showed a similar effect, and it used the same biomarkers to demonstrate patient responses in some of the clinical studies with this drug (Brohawn, 2015, Tanaka, 2020).
“We are very encouraged by the outcome of the ex vivo studies conducted by Dr Versnel and her team in the Netherlands,” commented Dr Tom Mander, CEO of Domainex. “It indicates that the TBK1/IKKe inhibitors in our granted-patent estate could have disease-modifying potential in interferonopathies and other inflammatory conditions. We have a very attractive opportunity for a licensing partner to take these compounds into pre-clinical and clinical development.”
To learn more about DMXD-011, and Domainex’s capabilities in inflammatory research, please visit: https://www.domainex.co.uk/services/inflammatory-diseases.
DMXD-011 is available for out-licensing. Interested parties should contact: tom.mander@domainex.co.uk.
ENDS
For more information, contact:
Domainex
Dr Tom Mander, CEO
E: tom.mander@domainex.co.uk
Sciad Communications
Deborah Cockerill / Darya Shulakova
T: +44 (0)20 3405 7892
E: domainex@sciad.com
Notes to editors
About Domainex Ltd. Domainex is a leading, multi-award-winning, integrated medicines research service partner working with ambitious life science organisations from around the globe. The Company has been setting new standards in research since 2001, working collaboratively with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, patient foundations and leading academic institutions globally.
Domainex provides innovative and customised biology and chemistry services to advance the disease research projects of its partners, from target expression to pre-clinical development candidate nomination. Working with Domainex maximises the chance of successful progression for its partners’ research. Domainex’s innovative science and extensive technical capabilities enable it to produce novel candidate medicines to treat debilitating diseases. The team works closely and collaboratively with its partners to understand their aspirations, bringing ideas, know-how and a wealth of experience to bear on their projects.
Domainex’s highly qualified and experienced team of dedicated research scientists has an unrivalled breadth of knowledge, access to a wide range of technologies and a proven track record of successful innovation in solving research challenges, including being named on over 60 patent applications of numerous candidate drugs. The Company aims to deliver successful outcomes efficiently and quickly, setting the highest possible benchmark in medicines research.
Full information about Domainex and its award-winning services can be found at www.domainex.co.uk.