Respiratory

The Respiratory System’s Battle Against Airborne Pathogens

The respiratory system is persistently exposed to airborne disease-causing insults, including pollution, dust mites, viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These contagions significantly contribute to or cause common chronic respiratory disease including COPD, asthma and acute and chronic lung infections. Other lung disease, for example idiopathic pulmonary, are more complex in their origin, and some are genetic, such as cystic fibrosis (CF). These diseases share features with other diseases, typically inflammation and fibrosis, so an argument can be made that the respiratory field is as much about drug delivery as it is about novel disease pathology.

Navigating the Complexity of Respiratory Disease

For any project that looks to treat a disease where the lung is the primary target, there must be a robust argument as to why to go inhaled. Developing an inhaled medicine is more expensive, longer and more complex when compared to their oral counterparts. Pharmacology that is not tolerated systemically, and/or the need to have significant local drug concentration, are genuine reasons to pursue inhaled delivery. Drugs which are delivered by inhalation often require exquisite potency and a method of retaining them in the lung, which requires different tactics depending on the nature of target and disease.

Sygnature’s Expertise in Respiratory Solutions

Sygnature’s scientists have broad experienced across all of these approaches. Having the right in vitro biosciences and DMPK is essential to drive a successful respiratory project

Our skilled bioscientists use a wide range of assay platforms and systems to assess the molecules. They are adept at developing bespoke assays, as well as adapting existing assays to meet the precise needs of individual respiratory projects. Importantly, they also have experience in developing in vitro assays using airway epithelial cells, endothelial cells and alveolar macrophages. The cells are sourced from our in-house human blood donor panel, as well as via our links with local hospitals, universities and commercial vendors.

We have worked across all indications that affect the respiratory system, from asthma and COPD to infectious diseases and CF. Sygnature’s multi-disciplinary, integrated, and collaborative way of working have delivered twelve compounds to preclinical development and six compounds have entered clinical trials. The most advanced of these, PC945, is entering phase III clinical trials to treat life threatening respiratory fungal infections.

Respiratory Assays: Unveiling Insights

The repertoire of established respiratory assays employed at Sygnature comprises a versatile toolkit, including:

• Biophysics: Unveiling potential protein or epigenetic targets and exploring protein-protein interactions.
• Gene Expression Analysis: Probing the intricate genetic underpinnings of respiratory diseases.
• Inflammatory Mediator Measurement: Precisely quantifying secreted or cellular inflammatory substances.
• Cellular Assays :Harnessing the power of cellular models to glean invaluable insights.

Sygnature Discovery’s dedication to innovation and meticulous methodology is reflected in our unwavering commitment to unravelling the complexities of respiratory diseases and revolutionising drug delivery paradigms.

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Discover ground breaking research on novel respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) inhibitors in “A Breath of Fresh Air.” Explore how Pulmocide Ltd. and Sygnature Discovery’s collaboration led to the development of potent anti-viral treatments, offering hope for safer and more effective solutions against this widespread respiratory infection.