Aeolus Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biotechnology company developing compounds used in treatments for fibrosis, inflammation, nerve damage and infection, announced that new compound AEOL 20415 is a potential treatment for cystic fibrosis—an inherited disease that causes thickened mucus to form in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, the mucus blocks the airways, making it hard to breathe.
The study was completed at National Jewish Health, an academic medical research center in Denver, Colo.
The preclinical compound may have applications beyond cystic fibrosis. Aeolus Chief Executive John McManus noted that AEOL 20415, which demonstrated the ability to kill pathogens and reduce inflammation, may be “a solution to the growing problem of drug-resistant bacteria.”
Aeolus is traded on the OTC Market and has a $38 million market cap. Its lead compound, AEOL 10150, targets the pulmonary effects of acute radiation syndrome, an acute illness caused by radiation poisoning, such as during an industrial accident. The compound is in a first-phase clinical trial and is being developed under a $118 million, five-year contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Aeolus’s other compound, AEOL 11114, is also in preclinical as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease, using funding from the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Glaucoma Drug Partnership
Nemus Biosciences Inc. has joined forces with Nanomerics Ltd. in London, to develop topical ocular drug candidate NB1111 based on tetrahydrocannabinol-valine-hemisuccinate—for the treatment of glaucoma.
Costa Mesa-based Nemus is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing cannabinoid-based therapeutics.
Nanomerics specializes in nanomedicines. It licenses out its Molecular Envelope Technology to help companies discover drug-delivery solutions for poorly water soluble drugs, nucleic acids and peptides.
Nemus will use Nanomerics’ patented technology to formulate NB1111.
“Historically, it has been challenging to formulate hydrophobic, or fat-soluble, cannabinoid molecules for efficient and predictable entry into the body, especially the eye,” said Nemus Chief Executive Brian Murphy in a press release. “Nemus has found the MET technology profile to be supportive of the work performed to-date … Developing this formulation is an important step before conducting human studies.”
In Vitro Innovation
Santa Ana-based Irvine Scientific has developed a genetic mouse embryo assay to ensure better detection of toxicity in raw materials used to prepare the media used in in vitro fertilization that could negatively impact early embryo development.
The company manufactures cell culture media, including reproductive media used in the assisted reproductive technology market.
The new mouse embryo assay is more sensitive to detecting toxic materials, which can negatively impact early normal embryonic development.
Irvine Scientific is a subsidiary of JX Group, a Japanese entity established in 2010 through a joint share transfer by Nippon Oil Corp. and Nippon Mining Holdings Inc. The two companies were integrated and reorganized as JX Holdings Inc.
Heart Study
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting showed that transcatheter aortic valve replacement and open-heart surgery performed similarly in terms of death rate and disabling stroke at two years after the initial procedure.
The 1,746 patient-study was funded by Medtronic PLC, which supplied the artificial heart valves.
The medical device company, which is chartered in Dublin, Ireland, maintains U.S. headquarters in Fridley, Minn., and manufacturing facilities in Irvine and Santa Ana.
Medtronic has submitted the trial results to the Food and Drug Administration, requesting permission to market its valves for use in intermediate-risk patients. Its competitor, Irvine-based medical device maker Edwards Lifesciences Corp., received FDA approval to sell its valves for intermediate-risk patients last year.
Bits & Pieces
Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Irvine has performed the biggest number of joint replacement procedures in California for five consecutive years, according to its 2017 Outcomes Report. The hospital reported procedural volume of 5,553 last year, up almost 60% from 2010, when it began operations. Joint implants are now the most common inpatient surgery for Medicare beneficiaries. Hip and knee replacements are projected to grow by 137% and 601% by 2030, respectively, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. … 10xHealth Inc. in Newport Beach appointed Don Antonucci chief business development officer, effective in April. Antonucci previously served as president of Regence BlueShield. The Newport Beach-based company develops risk management and optimum care calculation software used by insurance providers.
