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news.Duska Therapeutics has received an exclusive, worldwide license from Duke University and Johns Hopkins University to develop and commercialize their rights to a portfolio of investigational cardiovascular drugs for the treatment of heart failure.
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The most advanced drug in the portfolio is expected to enter a Phase II clinical study later this year. The Phase II candidate and all other drugs in the portfolio are designed to correct nitric oxide and redox disequilibrium in the failing heart and cardiovascular system. All have a dual mechanism of action of inhibiting the creation of reactive oxygen radicals and concurrently providing nitric oxide in the failing heart.
The therapeutic target is the ryanodine receptor, the ion channel in the heart that provides the calcium necessary for the heart to beat. The investigational drugs are believed to improve calcium cycling in the heart by acting on the ryanodine receptor to significantly improve the efficiency of heart contractility.
James Kuo, chairman and CEO of Duska, said: “The licensing of these novel heart failure drugs greatly strengthens our pipeline by adding a Phase II candidate with blockbuster market potential.”