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HIGH THROUGHPUT PHENOTYPIC SCREENING FOR IMMUNO-MODULATORY PROPERTIES
In traditional pure protein high-throughput drug screens, also called in vitro screens, individual compounds from a small molecule collection are tested to determine whether they inhibit the enzymatic activity or binding properties of a purified target protein. In contrast, phenotypic high-throughput drug screens, also called chemical genetic or in vivo screens, investigate the ability of individual compounds from a collection to inhibit a biological process or disease model in live cells or intact organisms. DeepSense is applying these methods to screen its compound libray for immuno-modulatory properties in specific diseases.
optimizing bioavailability by prodrug design
Bioavailability of naturally extracted compounds such as flavonoids has remained poor limiring their use in many diseases. Prodrug designs have recently emerged as favored approaches in the field of drug delivery, especially transepithelial drug delivery. A prodrug is a pharmacologically inactive derivative of an active drug that undergoes in vivo biotransformation to release the active drug. The DeepSense prodrugs have been optimized to achieve optimum physical and chemical properties in terms of membrane permeation, bioavailbility, and stability.
By means of rational design and computaional cehmistry algorithms, we have developed selective drug-delivery systems that can facilitate permeation of low molecular weight derivatives through epithelial tissue for topical and systemic delivery.
TISSUE SPECIFIC delivery methods
DeepSense has developed unique
TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY
We have developed customized prodrug for transdermal delivery. This route of administration offers an alternative pathway for topical and systemic drug delivery of small molecules.
It offers numerous advantages over conventional routes such as oral or intravenous delivery including:
avoiding peak and valley levels in the blood stream
bypassing first-pass metabolism in the GI tract
less frequent dosing regimens
less inter-patient variability
less toxicity from lower doses
PULMONARY DRUG DELIVERY
We have developed novel ester prodrug formulations of bioactive molecules specifically designed for pulmonary delivery with optimized bioavailability and lung tissue permeability.
The prodrugs can be delivered using a pressurized metered dose inhaler pMDI, directly into the lungs. pMDI devices are used by millions of patients with asthma and COPD, promote greater compliance and present fewer risks of side effects.
TRANSMUCOSAL DRUG DELIVERY
The therapeutic may be in the form of a fast dissolving tablet or thin film placed under the tongue. Such delivery produces immediate systemic effects by enabling the drug to be absorbed directly through the mucosal lining of the mouth beneath the tongue.
The advantages of transmucosal delivery include:
Greater bioavailability. No loss of drug by first pass metabolism through the liver. Doses may be 80% less than typical oral doses.
Rapid absorption in the bloodstream because of the thin mucosal lining.