Novogen and Genea Biocells have already conducted preliminary research and found that super-benzopyrans appear to be effective at promoting the ‘normalization’ of stem cells associated with some forms of neurodegeneration and muscular dystrophy, genetic disorders that result in progressive deterioration of brain function or muscle strength and function.
Novogen CEO Dr Graham Kelly noted that SBPs have already been shown to be highly effective at killing cancer stem cells, which were previously considered resistant to anti-cancer therapy.
"But in some of our studies, we found in certain instances, some of these drugs actually appeared to normalise both the behaviour and appearance of the cancer cells. It was that observation that set us on the path to testing their ability to do the same thing with stem cells carrying genetic disorders," Dr Kelly added.
Genea Biocells general manager Dr Uli Schmidt noted that super-benzopyrans are the first drug class we have seen with the ability to selectively modulate misbehaving stem cells.
"Effected embryos identified during the PGD process cannot be used for implantation but can instead be donated by patients to develop stem cell lines carrying the genetic disease.
"These disease-specific cell lines can now be used to test the effectiveness of exciting new compounds that are thought to counteract the disease. The testing of new molecules on individual stem cells holds great promise in the pursuit of new therapies.
"The collaboration with Novogen opens up an entirely new opportunity for the development of therapies for some of the most debilitating and life-threatening diseases and disorders in children and adults," Dr Schmidt added.
Novogen will collaborate with Genea Biocells to test the molecules in laboratory models across a range of degenerative diseases. These degenerative diseases include infantile neuraxonal dystrophy, fascioscapularhumeral dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neurone disease), Sanfillipo syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.
This partnership is on the basis of pooling respective resources, with each company retaining its own intellectual property rights and commercial opportunities.