Rexahn Pharmaceuticals (Rexahn) and TheraTarget have entered into a joint research collaboration agreement. As per the terms of the agreement, TheraTarget is expected to synthesize and supply Rexahn with polymer-drug conjugate products, which are part of Rexahn’s polymer-based nanomedicine portfolio.
The agreement includes the exchange of scientific and technological information and technological research materials. Specific collaborative projects now under consideration include the synthesis and characterisation of a series of anticancer drug conjugates with and without targeting ligands of selected HPMA (N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide) copolymer-drug conjugates, and the optimization of HPMA copolymer-drug conjugates.
The class of compounds to be synthesized use technology pioneered by Jindrich (Henry) Kopecek, co-founder of TheraTarget. The compounds are composed of chains of polymers, to which anti-cancer drugs are attached.
Furthermore, the compounds are able to target cancerous cells, and deliver the cell-killing agents. Because of their high molecular weight, the compounds stay active in the bloodstream longer than conventional pharmaceuticals, thereby enhancing dose efficacy, said the company.
Chang Ahn, chairman and CEO of Rexahn, said: “Through this collaboration with TheraTarget, we hope to strategically expand our targeted drug delivery product line. We believe that combining TheraTarget’s nanotechnology target drug delivery with Rexahn’s existing portfolio of potent anti-cancer compounds and strong oncology discovery platform may help us develop more effective and less disruptive cancer treatments for patients.”