Drug discovery research at Monash has underpinned a new spin-off companyto develop therapies for metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes-relateddiseases.Cincera Therapeutics Pty Ltd (Cincera) has launched with an AU$7 millionventure capital commitment from the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund(MRCF). Cincera’s founding scientists are Associate Professor Bernard Flynn fromMonash University’s Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) and ProfessorStuart Pitson from the Centre for Cancer Biology (CCB)
The company will translate research from MIPS and CCB to develop andtrial new treatments for a range of conditions including certain cancers. Theinvestment will help the company fast-track the selection of drugs suitable forclinical trials within three to four years.
Associate Professor Flynn, a medicinal chemist and serial entrepreneur,said his collaboration with Professor Pitson and Associate Professor Bing Wang (Monash Clinical Epidemiology) has brought disease-biology scienceand drug-discovery together in a unique approach to treating a range ofdiseases including diabetes and cancer.
"Cincera is a perfect example of how partnering great teams and technologieswith capital, and the right expertise, can facilitate the translation ofAustralian medical research," Associate Professor Flynn said.
"MIPS is taking Australian innovation to the world through thedevelopment of novel therapies and we are delighted to have won the supportfrom MRCF to take our innovative new therapies to the next stage."
"Through our unique approach, we have been able to identify enzymes offat metabolism that are key contributors to disease and gain direct access to drug-moleculesfor intercepting them," Associate Professor Flynn said.
"Our lead compounds have been further optimised in collaboration withthe MIPS Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation (CDCO) and form the basis ofCincera’s new approach to metabolic disease. This program exemplifies MIPS’songoing commitment to translational research through inter-institutionalcollaboration."
Professor Pitson, a world leader in lipid enzymology, said early-stage drugdevelopment had revealed promising new treatment targets.
"We have development candidates that are potent and broad-acting anti-inflammatoryand anti-fibrotic agents that show strong potential to become new treatments,"Professor Pitson said.
"There are many aspects of metabolic disease that could be improved bythese drugs, from treating liver or kidney dysfunction through to possibletreatments for certain cancers," Professor Pitson said.
"Making a difference is what drives researchers at the CCB and forming acompany like Cincera will be important for translating our research into bettertreatments for patients."
Dr Michael Bettess, investment manager for Brandon Capital and Directorof Cincera, said the Cincera team had developed a highly differentiatedapproach to treating inflammation and fibrosis.
"When this unique approach was combined with the high-quality Australianscience and extensive commercial experience of the team, Cincera became a clearearly-stage investment for the MRCF," Dr Bettess said.
The $200 million MRCF, managed by Brandon Capital, was established in2007 and promotes the creation of early stage medical technology companiesacross Australia and New Zealand.
Brandon Capital’s investment manager in Adelaide and Cincera director DrMelissa McBurnie said the foundation of Cincera is a great example of Victoriaand South Australia’s innovation ecosystems encouraging the development of alocal company with a global focus.
N/B: The CCB is an alliance between Central AdelaideLocal Health Network Incorporated and the University of SouthAustralia in Adelaide. ---
