New publication from Glucox Biotech and academic partners

The mission of Glucox Botech is to identify compounds that improve glucose homeostasis. Together with two acadmic groups at Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Glucox Biotech has shown that shikonin, a naphthoquinone derived from the Cinese plant Lithospermum erythrorhizon, increases glucose uptake i skeletal muscle cells.

Shikonin increases uptake via an insulin-independent, calcium dependent, pathway. The beneficial effects of shikonin on glucose metabolism, both in vitro and in vivo, show that the compound possesses properties that make it of considerable interest for developing novel treatments of type 2 diabetes.

Ref: Öberg, A.I., et al (2011) PLoS One, 6 (7): e22510

Agreement with Redoxis AB

Glucox Biotech announceed today the signing of a contract with Redoxis AB for further studie on Glucox smal molecule NOX4 inhibitors.

Glucox Biotech owns several patents covering the exclusive rights to develop pharmaceutical substances for treating insulin resistance and diabetes on the basis of reducing reactive oxygen species produces by NAD(P)H-oxidase. Redoxis AB is a research company with focused research on autoimmune diseases and with a recognized competence in R&D related to NAD(P)H-oxidase based disease mechanisms. According to the contract Redoxis undertakes to, on a fee-for-service basis, further study the influence of Glucox´ small molecule NOX4 inhibitors on NAD(P)H-oxidase.

Change of CEO and Chair

Erik Walum, former Chair of the Board of Directors was today appointed new CEO of Glucox Biotech AB. Mona Wilcke, co-founder of Glucox Biotech and former CEO, was at the same time appointed new Chair of the Board of Directors.

Erik Walum (PhD) is a former professor of Neurotoxicology at Stockholm University and has served as Head of Molecular Biology and Genomics at Pharmacia and Head of Obesity Pharmacology at Biovitrum. He became member of the Board in 2006 and Chair of the board in 2008.

Mona Wilcke (PhD) has a broad experience in business development as well as research in the metabolic and diabetes field. She has been working at several biotech and large pharmaceutical companies, among them Pharmacia. Besides being Chair of the Board of Directors she will also serves as CSO. Mona Wilcke has been a member of the Board since the start of the company in 2004.

Approval of patent in Europe

Glucox Biotech has been approved its third patent application in Europe in April 2010. The examining Division has granted the European patent that will cover the use of NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors as a medicament in the treatment and/or prevention of diseases caused by diabetes.

The patent received will provide a strong commercial protection for pharmaceutical products proceeding within the company and adds extended value to the existing IP-portfolio of Glucox Biotech.

Glucox Biotech is currently testing its novel compounds in animal tests and is preparing for a clinically applicable therapeutic drug for treatment of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance as well as diabetes complications.

Initiation of aminal studie case for novel compounds

Glucox Biotech has initiated a comprehensive animal study to confirm a proof-of-concept with the selected compounds of interest based on the screening compound from the potential hit series that resulted in few very promising chemical series amenable for lead generation.