Sirona Biochem Starts Testing First Batch Of Drug Candidates Designed To Combat Diabetes And Obesity
Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX-V: SBM), an emerging biotech company focused on diabetes and obesity, announced today that it has now taken delivery of its first batch of unique SGLT compounds from its French partner TFChem (Rouen, France) for screening and evaluation.
"The successful production of these new molecules marks a significant company milestone," said CEO, Dr. Howard Verrico.
Sirona Biochem owns the worldwide product rights to a library of sodium glucose transporter (SGLT) inhibitors to treat diabetes and obesity. SGLT Inhibitors block the reuptake of excess sugars from urine in the kidney which can then reduce high blood sugar to normal levels.
It's estimated that there are nearly 21 million people in the United States, or 7% of the population, who are diabetic. About 15 million have been diagnosed with the disease, but over 6 million people are unaware that they are suffering from it. It is forecast that by 2025, 333 million people will have diabetes.
Management of sugar metabolism is a primary medical challenge associated with treating diabetes and obesity.
Dr. Verrico explained that, "As far as we have been able to verify, these are a truly unique group of SGLT inhibitors in the world. To our knowledge, TFChem is the first to synthesize these uniquely designed molecules. SGLT inhibitors are a new and exciting class of compounds that have great promise for the treatment of diabetes and obesity.
"This new drug class is one considered to have substantial market potential in the fight against diabetes and obesity, particularly if we can prove our versions to be robust enough to survive the journey through the body and result in reduced blood sugar levels.
"The test results will then enable us, through ongoing refinement of molecular development, to identify our lead compounds for in vivo testing projected to start early next year," concluded Dr. Verrico.
The tests were developed by SignalChem (Richmond, BC). Sirona's scientific team aims to identify lead compounds by the end of 2009.
Sirona Biochem's website is at -- http://www.sironabiochem.com -- where we feature the most recent information about the company and its activities. Alternatively, investors are able to e-mail all questions and correspondence to info@sironabiochem.com where they can also request to be added to the investor e-mail list to receive all future press releases and updates or call John Dougherty, Corporate Development at 604-641-4466.
About Sirona Biochem
Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX-V: SBM) is an emerging biotech company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel drug compounds. The current focus is on treatments for Type II Diabetes and Obesity. Sirona has entered into a license agreement with TFChem S.A.R.L., a Drug Discovery company based in Rouen, France. TFChem licenses its technology of fluorinated carbohydrate mimics: GlycoMim®, and products in development to biotech companies. The license agreement with TFChem provides for research and development of new compounds known as SGLT Inhibitors. SGLT inhibitors are a new and exciting class of compounds that have great promise and potential to treat both diabetes and obesity. http://www.sironabiochem.com.
About TFChemistry
TFChem, of Rouen, France, is a drug-discovery company which uses fluorine atom properties to develop new glycomimetic compounds: the GlycoMim® technology. TFChem is a leader in the area of fluorinated glycosides and their application as new, more potent and safer drugs. Through application of the patented core technology it is the intention to modify and discover new carbohydrate based drug compounds with increased therapeutic properties and clinical improvement potential.