Cambria Biosciences Unveils Novel Epilepsy Drug Discovery Program at the Neurotechnology Industry Organization Conference.WOBURN, Mass. -- Cambria Biosciences today unveiled a novel approach to discovering epilepsy drugs by utilizing an intact animal nervous system engineered for high-throughput screening High-throughput screening (HTS), is a method for scientific experimentation especially used in drug discovery and relevant to the fields of biology and chemistry. Purpose and method . The process was described in a presentation made by Dr. Leo Leo, in astronomy Leo [Lat.,=the lion], northern constellation lying S of Ursa Major and on the ecliptic (apparent path of the sun through the heavens) between Cancer and Virgo; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Liu, President and Chief Executive Officer at Cambria, at the 2nd Annual Neurotechnology Industry Organization The Neurotechnology Industry Organization (NIO) is a San Francisco, California based non-profit trade association that represents a broad spectrum of companies involved in neuroscience, brain research centers, and advocacy groups from around the globe. Conference. The Company is currently using this discovery platform to build a pipeline of new epilepsy drug leads. Dr. Liu explained, "Genetic studies have shown that epilepsy genes and proteins are highly conserved between fruit flies and humans. Cambria has engineered a high-throughput in vivo in vivo /in vi·vo/ (ve´vo) [L.] within the living body. in vi·vo adj. Within a living organism. in vivo adv. disease model that utilizes the whole neuronal circuit system of the fruit fly, which allows us to more quickly and effectively identify compounds with potential activity against epilepsy that possess new mechanisms of action. Using this approach, we can analyze more compounds in a matter of months than have been tested in the past 30 years for epilepsy." Drug discovery for epilepsy is currently challenging, due to the complexity of the neuronal signaling circuits involved in the disease. This complexity makes typical genomic-driven molecular target-based drug discovery difficult and has therefore inhibited a better understanding of potential therapeutic intervention points. However, the same types of neurons, signaling molecules signaling molecules substances synthesized by cells for purposes of extracellular communication between cells. , transporters and receptors that are involved in human epilepsy are also found in simpler laboratory animals, such as the fruit fly Drosophila Drosophila: see fruit fly. drosophila Any member of about 1,000 species in the dipteran genus Drosophila, commonly known as fruit flies but also called vinegar flies. Some species, particularly D. , making the circuit-based analysis of the disease possible. The Company established a basic model of Drosophila epilepsy by showing that neurotoxins that cause seizures in humans and other mammals also cause seizures in fruit flies, and that certain approved human anti-epileptic drugs will pharmacologically suppress seizures in fruit flies as well. These findings were recently published by Dr. Geoff Stilwell and other Cambria scientists in the European Journal of Neuroscience. Capitalizing on this finding, Cambria scientists have developed a high-throughput, in vivo epilepsy disease model assay in Drosophila to screen for compounds that block the neuronal hyperactivity hyperactivity, excessive physical activity of emotional or physiological origin, usually seen in young children; one of the components of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. and convulsions Convulsions Also termed seizures; a sudden violent contraction of a group of muscles. Mentioned in: Heat Disorders that are typical of the disease. The process involves administering neurotoxins that induce epilepsy symptoms in the fruit flies, then testing chemical compounds, both new and those approved for other indications, in the flies' intact nervous system to discover compounds effective in reducing or eliminating seizure activity. The greater diversity of active compounds discovered by this process may yield new therapeutic intervention points for epilepsy, in order to address the many specific sub-populations of patients with this illness that do not respond to currently available anti-epileptic drugs. About Epilepsy More than 2.4 million Americans have epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by temporary abnormal electrical activity in nerve cells in the brain. About one third of all people living with epilepsy are not adequately treated with currently available medications. There are many forms and underlying causes of epilepsy, which imposes an annual economic burden of approximately $25 billion in the U.S., due to health care costs and lost productivity. About Cambria Biosciences Cambria Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to neurodegenerative diseases neurodegenerative diseases diseases characterized by neurodegeneration. Lesions are microscopic only but in chronic disease with massive involvement there may be grossly visible atrophy of affected nervous tissue. and other central nervous system disorders Nervous system disorders A satisfactory classification of diseases of the nervous system should include not only the type of reaction (congenital malformation, infection, trauma, neoplasm, vascular diseases, and degenerative, metabolic, toxic, or deficiency . The Company's approach uses living genetic model systems that faithfully recapitulate re·ca·pit·u·late v. re·ca·pit·u·lat·ed, re·ca·pit·u·lat·ing, re·ca·pit·u·lates v.tr. 1. To repeat in concise form. 2. disease processes to discover new drug leads for these underserved medical conditions. Cambria leverages its technology platform for other applications, including agriculture and animal health, and has partnered with industry leaders in these fields to accelerate the discovery and development of safe and effective new products. |
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