Neuropathix scores patent for PUFA neuroprotectant to combat oxidative stress

21 Jan 2021 --- Neuropathix (formerly known as Kannalife) has landed a patent for its hops-inspired synthesized neuroprotectant, NPTX-204. The pharmaceutical ingredient is based on phosphatidylcholines (PC) containing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

“The commercialization status will depend on testing in animal models of oxidative stress. We feel confident we will have a product in the next couple of years. An area of interest for us is to explore disease targets that involve oxidative stress,” Dean Petkanas, CEO, tells NutritionInsight.

He explains that many people are already consuming omega 3 PUFAs via fish oil, which supports neurological health.

“We believe that what we found is a significant finding in the range of what would be considered drug-like and for potential use as a pharmaceutical.”

A host of uses
According to Neuropathix, certain PCs containing PUFAs exhibit neuroprotective effects on neuronal tissues subjected to oxidative stress. 

NPTX-204 and other PCs demonstrated neuroprotective effects in maintaining neuronal viability and preventing neuronal cell death in hippocampal cultures. These were subjected to ethanol toxicity during the company’s in vitro pre-clinical studies.

The global WIPO/PCT Patent WO 2020/ 264324 also relates to compositions or formulations with NPTX-204 and other PCs of the PUFA patent to treat and prevent oxidative stress in neuronal tissues, particularly neuronal tissues of the central nervous system.

Neuropathix also believes that NPTX-204 and other PCs of the PUFA patent may serve as a vehicle for adjunct, combination or synergistic therapy of PCs of the PUFA patent with additional active agents.Petkanas wondered if there could be a neuroprotective agent in hops along the lines as CBD is to cannabis.

Following in CBD’s footsteps
The company’s flagship ingredient is KLS-13019, which is a CBD derivative used to prevent and reverse neuropathic pain, reduce oxidative stress and act as anti-inflammatory neuroprotectants.

Petkanas was inspired to investigate hops as the plant is related to cannabis. He wondered if there could be a neuroprotective agent in hops along the lines as CBD is to cannabis.

“The answer to that question is ‘yes.’ Through our pre-clinical pharmacology studies, we then asked native hippocampal neurons, ‘What protects you more from severe ethanol toxicity, CBD or NPTX-204?’ These neurons told us, ‘NPTX-204.’”

He explains that NPTX-204’s half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) is over three million times more potent than CBD. He emphasizes that this is the femtomolar range and “pharmaceutical-like” at a hormonal level. 

“While developing our flagship molecule, KLS-13019, we tested CBD to prevent ethanol toxicity. When we isolated and synthesized our new compound, we ran it through the same tests. That’s how we were able to parallel the two in preventing ethanol toxicity in preclinical studies,” explains Petkanas. 

In a previous interview, Petkanas detailed the advantages of cannabinoid-inspired molecules both at a production and retail level.

By Katherine Durrell