Kancera AB files patent for HDAC6 inhibitors against cancer
2014-05-14
Kancera reports that the company has registered a patent application (EP14167988.6) for new compounds against cancer that selectively inhibit the enzyme HDAC6. The new patent application is based on the ability of HDAC6 inhibitors to influence mechanisms both inside and outside of the cell nucleus. It has been shown that the major biological role of HDAC6 is in the regulation of the cancer cell´s ability to migrate and form metastases.
On December 3, 2013, Kancera announced a surprising discovery of a new class of compounds against cancer that acts selectively on HDAC6. This class of compounds has now been claimed in a patent application. Furthermore, chemical synthetic routes have been developed that allow for an efficient optimization of patentable HDAC6 inhibitor analogues with further improved pharmaceutical properties.
Independent researchers have shown that inhibitors of HDAC6 have the potential to be used also for the treatment of autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases as well as depression.
About the HDAC6 project
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are primarily involved in removing the acetyl groups from the so-called histones and thereby affect how our genes are stored. Most HDACs are activated in the cell nucleus but HDAC6 mainly affect the cell function outside the cell nucleus. The major biological role of is in the regulation of the cancer cell´s ability to migrate and form metastases. The use of HDAC inhibitors in the treatment of cancer patients has so far yielded promising results, but has been limited due to severe side effects. For this reason, the pharmaceutical industry is now looking for more selective inhibitors of individual HDAC enzymes. Unlike other HDACs, loss of HDAC6 function is not associated with severe toxicity. Kancera´s discovery of selective HDAC6 inhibitors may provide a solution on how health care should take advantage of the anti-cancer effects of HDAC inhibitors without causing the patient severe side effects.
About Kancera AB (publ)
Kancera develops the basis for new therapeutics, starting with new treatment concepts and ending with the sale of a drug candidate to international pharmaceutical companies. Kancera is currently developing drugs for the treatment of leukemia and solid tumors, based on blocking survival signals in the cancer cell and on addressing cancer metabolism. Kancera’s operations are based in the Karolinska Institutet Science Park in Stockholm and the company employs around 10 people. Kancera shares are traded on NASDAQ OMX First North and are held by around 5400 shareholders as of 31th March 2014. Remium Nordic AB is Kancera’s Certified Adviser. Professor Carl-Henrik Heldin and Professor Håkan Mellstedt are Kancera´s scientific advisors.
For additional information, please contact:
Thomas Olin, CEO: Tel +46 735 20 40 01
Address:
Kancera AB
Karolinska Institutet Science Park
Banvaktsvägen 22,
SE 171 48 Solna,
Sweden