At Mission Therapeutics, Sarah Almond serves as their Head of Pharmacology, but she wears many hats to help develop potential treatments for neurodegenerative conditions.   

Their main area of focus centers around research into deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), which may impact neurodegeneration. By studying DUBs, Sarah and her team have been able to generate highly targeted and potent molecules that contribute to developing safe and effective therapeutics. In fact, one of these compounds (MTX325) is currently enrolled in a clinical trial to test its safety and pharmacokinetics ahead of effectiveness in treating Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition impacting the central nervous system. With the first patient dosing scheduled for later this year, they are hopeful it could be a gamechanger for treating these debilitating conditions.   

Join Sarah as we discuss Mission Therapeutics, the science behind DUBs, how collaboration with a CRO advanced their research, and what her thoughts are on the future of drug discovery and development for neurodegenerative conditions, among others.

Show Notes

• Mission Therapeutics
• Poster: Development and validation of a high content-based assay to measure Tom20 loss in dopaminergic human neurons differentiated in vitro
• Parkinson's Disease Studies | Charles River
• Neuroscience | Charles River
• Knockout or Inhibition of USP30 protects Dopaminergic Neurons in a Parkinson's Disease Mouse Model
• Mission Therapeutics granted MHRA Clinical Trial Authorisation (CTA) for MTX325 for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
• Mission Therapeutics announces US FDA approval to initiate Phase II clinical trial of its lead asset MTX652 in Acute Kidney Injury

When he founded Cure Rare Disease in 2018, Rich Horgan was primarily focused on finding a treatment for his younger brother Terry, who had an ultra-rare form of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

Suffering from a disease that has no cure, Terry served as a “selfless, brave, and courageous” figure that Rich continues to draw inspiration from when seeking new, innovative solutions to treat this progressive, neurodegenerative condition.

Join us for this interview as Rich discusses the origins of Cure Rare Disease, Terry’s ongoing legacy, the collaborative effort it takes to advance the drug development journey, the important role of the patient voice when developing treatments, and the future of rare disease research.

Show Notes

• What We Owe Terry Horgan: Reflections from Providers, Family, and Scientists
• Letter From Terry's Parents
• The Disruptors - Meet Rich
• In Vitro Assays for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
• 2022 World Congress Video
• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Studies
• Rare Disease Research for Drug Development
• Scientific Collaboration Leads to Faster Drug Development
• Cure Rare Disease

For the 850 million people around the world suffering from chronic kidney disease, the grind of dialysis treatment can wear them down in more ways than one.

Dr. Andy Herbert, co-founder of Invizius, is out to change that. This five-year-old company started from humble beginnings and is currently developing H-Guard® Priming Solution, which increases the effectiveness of dialysis while negating, or eliminating, its potentially dangerous side effects. It will be used in an upcoming first-in-human clinical trial and has the potential to improve patients’ quality of life – both physically and mentally.

Join Dr. Herbert as we discuss the origins of Invizius, how H-Guard works, why dialysis can take a toll on mental health, and how working with a strategic partner has helped Invizius progress this treatment.

Show Notes 

Invizius

Charles River's Nonclinical Support Helps Invizius Secure MHRA Approval for First-in-Human Trial of H-Guard® Hemodialysis Solution

Renal Disorders | Charles River

Preclinical CRO Services for Safety Assessment

Inflammation | Charles River