Current treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is of limited efficacy, as there are no entirely non-toxic pharmaceuticals that totally halt or reverse the progression of IBD. To address this need, Inotek has invented a novel anti-colitic agent (PJ-34) that is a nanomolar-potent inhibitor of poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS). PARS are a nuclear enzyme whose activation by inflammatory oxidant stress results in energetic depletion, NF-kappa B nuclear translocation, granulocyte recruitment, and intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction. We have shown that PARS deficient mice are virtually protected from autoimmune models of enterocolitis. In the Phase I SBIR, we have obtained proof of principle that the ultrapotent PARS inhibitor PJ-34 reverses established murine colitis, resulting in a dramatic reduction in intestinal tissue injury, inflammatory cell infiltration, mortality, and weight loss. In the Phase II SBIR, we intend to demonstrate that the in vivo toxicological profile of PJ-34 meets FDA standards for progression to clinical studies.
Specific Aim #1 : Scale-up synthesis of PJ-34 to kilogram batch production level. Pre-clinical evaluation of PJ-34, including toxicology, metabolism, and pharmacokinetic studies, requires process scale-up to produce kilogram scale GLP-grade material.
Specific Aim #2 : Determine the biochemical, hematological, and histopathologic toxicology profile of PJ-34. Range-finding toxicity studies will provide a comprehensive behavioral, biochemical, and histopathologic profile. These studies will provide the foundation for clinical testing, commercial development, and first market entry of an ultrapotent PARS inhibitor for therapy of IBD.

Proposed Commercial Applications

NOT AVAILABLE

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
2R44DK054099-02
Application #
6337327
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-3 (10))
Program Officer
Podskalny, Judith M,
Project Start
1999-04-15
Project End
2003-05-31
Budget Start
2001-07-01
Budget End
2002-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$1,092,059
Indirect Cost
Name
Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Beverly
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01915
Jagtap, Prakash G; Baloglu, Erkan; Southan, Garry et al. (2005) Facile and convenient syntheses of 6,11-dihydro-5H-indeno[1,2-c]isoquinolin- 5-ones and 6,11-dihydro-5H-indolo[3,2-c]isoquinolin-5-one. Org Lett 7:1753-6
Jagtap, Prakash G; Baloglu, Erkan; Southan, Garry J et al. (2005) Discovery of potent poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 inhibitors from the modification of indeno[1,2-c]isoquinolinone. J Med Chem 48:5100-3
Jagtap, Prakash G; Southan, Garry J; Baloglu, Erkan et al. (2004) The discovery and synthesis of novel adenosine substituted 2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-ones: potent inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1). Bioorg Med Chem Lett 14:81-5
Southan, Garry J; Szabo, Csaba (2003) Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors. Curr Med Chem 10:321-40