Therapeutic Potential

View how TSI proteins inhibit secretion from target cells

It is well understood that vesicular secretion plays a significant causative or contributing role in a wide range of diseases and medical conditions. By retaining the unique properties of the clostridial endopeptidase within Syntaxin’s TSI, targeted long-acting inhibition of secretion is achieved with a single dose.

Proof of concept has been established with the lead compound which entered Phase II in July 2010 (please refer to the following link for further information - Clinical Trials) in neuropathic pain, in which Syntaxin’s TSI are specifically targeted to peripheral neurones involved in the transmission of the pain signal, this compound entered Phase II in partnership with Allergan.

The potential of the TSI platform has been expanded into non-neuronal cells by targeting the pituitary somatotroph as a novel treatment for Acromegaly. Acromegaly results from excess growth hormone (GH) secretion in adults and leads to a range of debilitating conditions such as enlargement of the hands and feet, early onset arthritis, metabolic complications with respiratory, diabetes and cardiovascular abnormalities such as hypertension and cardiomegaly, all of which contribute to increased mortality.

The treatment of Acromegaly offers a unique opportunity to bring medical benefit to patients through normalisation of IGF1/GH, which is an established path for the approval of agents in this condition.

In addition to the ongoing programmes in the fields of pain and Acromegaly, a focused programme of work is exploring other therapeutic opportunities in the endocrine and in the cancer fields where diseases driven by hypersecretion have been identified.