Apolipoprotein A-I (APOA-I), a major protein component of high density lipoprotein (HDL) (the “good cholesterol”), is largely responsible for the transfer of cholesterol into the liver where it is metabolized and excreted. Canadian firm Resverlogix Corp. believes that it developed a technology platform, comprised of new molecules, that increase the production of ApoA-l and HDL for the treatment of atherosclerosis. Recently held World Economic Forum has selected Resverlogix as a winner of the prestigious Technology Pioneer Award in Biotech/Health category for the company’s NexVas™ Plaque Removal program.
Here’s what the firm says about its technology:
NexVas™ Plaque Regression (NexVas PR) is our lead program focused on developing novel small molecules to target ApoA-I to stabilize and regress atherosclerotic plaque. High levels of ApoA-I have been clinically proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The process by which this happens is called reverse cholesterol transport, where cholesterol is removed from the arteries and delivered to the liver for elimination from the body. In preclinical testing, RVX-208 (clinical lead) has demonstrated the ability to increase plasma ApoA-I up to 180% over 7 days.
Our NexVas PR program has the capacity to become a leading force in the largest life science market in the world for the following reasons:It is fundamentally different from other therapies focused on increasing HDL. Resverlogix’s small molecules have been shown to enhance the functionality of ApoA-I particles resulting in cholesterol excretion. Resverlogix has taken the unique and physiological approach to pharmaceutical discovery by activating the body’s own health promoting genes (such as ApoA-I) to fight diseases. This therapeutic approach of increasing the body’s endogenous ApoA-I production may avoid any immunologic complications associated with peptide or recombinant ApoA-I therapies currently in development, and more importantly facilitates continual enhancement of ApoA-I levels.
Check out this video released by Resverlogix :
Resverlogix home page …
Press release: Resverlogix Honoured with World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Award (.pdf)
World Economic Forum Technology Pioneers 2008 …
