Antex licenses pulmonary drugs from University of Maryland
The peptides, discovered by K. Chul Kim, professor in the School of Pharmacy of the University of Maryland, suppress the overproduction of mucus caused by lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. According to research published in the American Journal of Physiology, these peptides work by inhibiting mucus secretion from the cells that line the airway. AntexPharma has obtained worldwide, exclusive rights to the technology and is working with Kim to develop these peptide molecules into new treatments for serious lung disorders.
Research and development funding for this collaboration was provided by the Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program, though the Department of Engineering at the University of Maryland. The MIPS program seeks to facilitate the development of new and improved products, services, or processes that will help businesses compete in their markets and that will lead to economic benefit to the state of Maryland.
Antex Biologics, together with wholly owned subsidiary AntexPharma, is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and marketing new products to prevent and treat infections and related diseases. The company has three vaccine products in clinical development and has strategic alliances with SmithKline Beecham, Aventis Pasteur, Pfizer, and the U.S. Department of Defense.
For more information: Antex Biologics Inc., 300 Professional Dr., Gaithersburg, MD 20879. Tel.: 301-590-0129, Fax: 301-590-0731
Edited by Jim Pomager
Assistant Editor, Drug Discovery Online