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news.Biopharmaceutical firm Arno Therapeutics has entered into a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) to evaluate the anti-viral activity of AR-12 and various analogues against Ebola and other viruses of biodefense interest.
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AR-12 is an orally-available small molecule. Data reported earlier shows that the mechanism of action of the molecule may include induction of host cell autophagy and inhibition of fungal acetyl coenzyme A synthetase.
Arno Therapeutics CEO Alex Zukiwski said: "This is an important step forward in the process of evaluating AR-12 and the other compounds in the AR-12 series against various microbial pathogens.
"We look forward to working with USAMRIID to learn more about the potential activity of AR-12 and related compounds."
The company said that the precise antiviral mechanism of action of AR-12 continues to be evaluated but an established body of evidence shows that AR-12 is an inducer of host effector cell autophagy.
Additionally, AR-12 is known to inhibit or down regulate, GRP78, the master regulator of the unfolded protein response, which results in the up-regulation of PERK.
AR-12 also down regulates the chaperone proteins HSP70 and HSP90. Previously, AR-12 has completed Phase 1 clinical trials in patients with cancer.
Other pre-clinical research shows that AR-12 may have potential as an antimicrobial agent in various infectious diseases.
In Europe, AR-12 has also been granted two orphan drug designations for the treatment of cryptococcosis and tularaemia.
Arno has rights to a broad portfolio of compounds in the AR-12 series.