Grant to fund discovery and development of novel therapeutics for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

SHERBORN, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES, September 25, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ -- Luciole Pharmaceuticals announced today the award of a $500,000 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH ). The grant will fund the discovery and development of small molecule activators of OGG1 (8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. OGG1 is the key enzyme in the initiation of base excision repair of oxidative damage of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Oxidative mtDNA damage is an important, early initiator of mitochondrial dysfunction, loss of energy production and inflammation which leads to neuronal cell death.

“Luciole aims to be the premier mtDNA repair company, utilizing an efficient, virtual company approach for the development of novel medicines. This award provides an important validation of Luciole’s unique therapeutic approach towards the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases"- Dennis I. Goldberg, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at Luciole Pharmaceuticals.

“Luciole will collaborate with the Lloyd/McCullough laboratories at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), the Kaufman laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh, the Institute for Therapeutic Discovery & Development at the University of Minnesota, and InVivo Biosystems, Inc., an Oregon biotechnology company, to efficiently identify new molecules with disease modifying potential. This SBIR award will significantly advance our drug discovery program” - William L. Rumsey, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Luciole Pharmaceuticals.

"We're thrilled to be collaborating with Luciole Pharmaceuticals. Their innovative approach not only pushes the boundaries of Alzheimer's therapies, but it's also paving the way for accelerated developments in the neurodegenerative sector. The pace at which they are advancing is a testament to their unique and forward-thinking strategy. This grant win is truly deserved and underscores the significance of their groundbreaking work." – Matt Beaudet, CEO, InVivo Biosystems.

This project will be supported by an NIH grant R43AG084412. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of NIH.

About Luciole Pharmaceuticals
Luciole Pharmaceuticals is an early-stage biotech company that is developing novel therapeutics to repair damaged mtDNA, a critical component of mitochondrial function. Oxidative damage to mtDNA is an inexorable aspect of human aging that causes mitochondrial dysfunction, mtDNA breakdown, activation of the innate immune system and ultimately, cell death. Mitochondrial function is essential to maintain healthy tissues and to support human longevity. A natural by-product of this essential function is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since the mitochondrial genome is physically tethered to the primary site of ROS generation mtDNA is continually challenged by oxidative damage. Luciole is the first company to focus on enhancing the repair of oxidatively damaged mtDNA.

Luciole’s technology is based on the cutting-edge work of Luciole’s co-founder, Dr. Rumsey. Together with co-founders R. Stephen Lloyd and Amanda K. McCullough at OHSU. Luciole was formed as a OHSU spinout with exclusive, worldwide license to commercialize proprietary small molecule OGG1 activators based on the additional Lloyd/McCullough discoveries.

For further information, visit www.luciolepharma.com.

Contact information:

Dennis Goldberg, Ph.D.
dgoldberg@luciolepharma.com.

Dennis I Goldberg
Luciole Pharmaceuticals
+1 508-878-7589
email us here

How mitochondria produce energy