Molecular Diagnostics
In June 2009, OPKO acquired exclusive, worldwide rights to a new platform technology for the rapid identification of small molecule diagnostics.
The technology was developed at The University of Texas South Western Medical Center by Thomas Kodadek, Ph.D., whose lab is now located at Scripps Institute in Florida.
The initial molecular diagnostic is based on peptoid chemistry to detect disease-specific antibodies. Such antibodies have been found in patients with Alzheimers disease, Parkinson's disease, and non-small cell lung cancer, and potentially a wide variety of other diseases. The development of accurate and reliable blood tests to diagnose these diseases early may have profound impact on disease outcome. In addition, these blood tests can be used to follow progression of disease, response to drug treatment, and even to select patients who are most likely to respond to a given therapy.
In addition to diagnostic applications, peptoids can serve as ligands for virtually any protein targets, including antibodies, cellular receptors, protein signalling molecules, etc. They can also potentially illicit cell-mediated (T-cell) and humoral (antibody) immune responses. Thus, peptoids have potential to be novel therapeutics and vaccines.
Vaccines
In July 2009, OPKO entered into a worldwide exclusive license agreement with Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan for a new technology to develop protein vaccines against influenza and other viral infections.
The technology was discovered by Dr. Chi-Huey Wong, a renowned biological chemist, and his team at Academia Sinica.
OPKO is forming a subsidiary in Taiwan to collaborate closely with Academia Sinica to develop the first product, a universal flu vaccine, to surmount the problem of the emergence of new strains against which vaccines produced with presently available technology do not provide satisfactory protection. The preclinical development has been initiated.
This development will provide a protein-based flu vaccine which is expected to cross react with the H1, H3 or H5 flu variances. Instead of the typical method of making a cocktail of inactivated viruses for annual flu shots, this new approach to anti-viral vaccines is designed to recognize and destroy new strains of flu virus before the virus has a chance to mutate.
For the latest development of strategy for design of universal vaccine, please visit http://www.sinica.edu.tw/manage/gatenews/showpost.php?rid=2714
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