Technology

Focus

Metabolic Disease

  • Agentix is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutic
    agents for the treatment of the following metabolic diseases:
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Obesity
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
  • Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
  • We currently have a portfolio of novel peripherally-acting small molecule therapeutic agents.

Therapeutic Strategy

Modulation of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

• The ECS is key to the regulatory system
governing metabolism.

• Blockade of peripheral CB1 receptors results in:

      · Sustained weight loss
      · Control of glucose and lipid metabolism
      · Improved insulin control
      · Modulation of gastrointestinal function

Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Management of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Risk Factors; Stephen N. Davis, MD, FRCP & Jennifer M. Perkins, MD; AACE Endocrine Practice Volume 13, ISSUE 7, P790-804, November 01, 2007

Wikimedia Commons; Schematic sketch showing the transport types at the blood-brain barrier by Armin Kübelbeck; November 13, 2011

Restrict Therapeutic Activity to the Periphery

By increasing the topological polar surface area (tPSA), our molecules do not significantly cross the Blood-Brain Barrier.

 

 The results of this strategy is demonstrated in our pre-clinical models:

  • No significant accumulation in the brain
  • Accumulation observed in the thigh muscle, heart,
    kidney and liver
  • Most significant accumation, by regional
    distribution, was observed in the liver

Hung, Ming-Shiu, et al, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 27 (2019) 216–223

AGTX-2004[F18] PET scan coronal cross section image at 90 min post injection

  • Deep blue (liver), cyan blue (heart), green (thigh
    muscle), pink (kidney), yellow (brain)
  • Injection dose 170 μCi/0.15 mL (1.57×10−10 mol)