Novel Functional Genomics Technology to Anticipate Resistance: RiboNovix has secured an exclusive license from Wayne State University for intellectual property based on Dr. Philip Cunningham's development of a novel genetic system that allows mutational analysis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in living cells. Because mutations in rRNA affect the production of all cellular proteins and are typically lethal, previous attempts to study rRNA mutations in living cells have had limited success. However, the new genetic technology being exploited by RiboNovix allows mutational analysis of bacterial rRNA in vivo without affecting cell viability. The system can be used to identify the specific nucleotide sites in rRNA that are required for functionality, and those that can be mutated without loss of function. Antibiotic resistance is more likely to develop for antibiotics that bind to nucleotide sites that are non-essential for function. By identifying the rRNA nucleotides required for functionality and targeting new antibiotics to these sites, it is expected that these new anti-infectives will be less susceptible to the development of drug resistance.
"Because of their remarkable powers of genetic adaptation, bacteria have been able to mutate and become resistant to every antibiotic currently in use," stated Dr. Philip Cunningham, a co-Founder of RiboNovix. "Our technology takes advantage of bacteria's natural adaptability to identify new drug targets and to isolate all of the target mutations that might lead to drug resistance. RiboNovix' anti-infectives will therefore be pre-selected to remain active in the presence of any mutation that the microbe might develop."
About Antibiotics and Drug Resistance: Antibiotics represent the third largest pharmaceutical market at $25 billion in sales per year. Most marketed antibiotics are natural products or derivatives thereof, which are biosynthesized by one microbial species as a defense against another species. New antibiotics have been developed through chemical modifications to these existing drug classes. But bacteria have evolved protective resistance mechanisms against each and every generation of compounds in each and every antibiotic class, so that bacteria not only survive, but thrive.
In general, antibiotics work by binding to a specific target in a bacteria and inhibiting a cellular function essential for the microbe's survival. The four main bacterial cell functions inhibited are bacterial protein synthesis, cell wall biosynthesis, DNA replication and cell metabolism. About 50% of antibiotics bind to the bacterial ribosome, the site of protein synthesis. As a result, the ribosome is a proven drug target, but drug resistance develops through the occurrence of mutations in the ribosomal RNA. RiboNovix' proprietary genetic technology allows the anticipation of the resistance mutations in these targets, and also the identification of new ribosomal drug targets.
About RiboNovix: RiboNovix, Inc. is a functional genomics-based drug development company focused on anti-infectives that are less susceptible to drug resistance. The company's platform technology allows the anticipation of resistance mutations in bacteria, as well as the identification of new ribosomal drug targets. RiboNovix is based in Michigan with executive offices in Massachusetts. http://www.ribonovix.com
About Wayne State University: Wayne State University is one of the nation's pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. In the past 20 years, Wayne State's research has grown an average of 9 percent annually, with research expenditures reaching nearly $214 million in 2003. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and beyond.
Contact:Allison Taunton-Rigby,
President and CEO, RiboNovix, Inc.
Phone:(781) 259-3183
E-Mail: Alison@ribonovix.com
Contact:Philip Cunningham,
Founder and Chair Science Board, Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University
Phone:(313) 577-5029
E-Mail: PhilC@wayne.edu
Media:
Contact:Kari Lampka,
Vice President, MacDougall BioCommunications, Inc.
Phone:(508) 647-0209