A Success in Drug Development by Academia: Uncompetitive/Fast Off-Rate (UFO) Drug Therapy for Neurodegenerative DisordersWednesday, 28 September 2011 at 11:15 Add to Calendar ▼2011-09-28 11:15:002011-09-28 12:15:00Europe/LondonA Success in Drug Development by Academia: Uncompetitive/Fast Off-Rate (UFO) Drug Therapy for Neurodegenerative DisordersIon Channel Targets in San FranciscoSan FranciscoSELECTBIOenquiries@selectbiosciences.com Blockade of excessive NMDA-type glutamate receptor activity in the brain can protect neurons from many neurologic diseases. However, inhibition of NMDA receptors by high-affinity antagonists also blocks normal synaptic transmission and leads to unacceptable side effects. For this reason, many NMDA receptor antagonists have failed in clinical trials. Our group discovered that gentle blockade of NMDA receptors by the drug Memantine, via a mechanism of uncompetitive open-channel block with a relatively rapid “off-rate,” can provide neuroprotection without substantial side effects. For these Uncompetitive/Fast Off-rate therapeutics, we coined the term “UFO drugs” because, like a UFO, they leave very quickly after their job is finished. |