Therapeutic Compounds Therapeutic compounds and clinical products are actual remedies that can be used to treat diseases. Oxis has several therapeutic compounds that are available to be licensed including anti-inflammatory and several therapeutic antioxidant mimics with potential applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other conditions. TREATING OXIDATIVE STRESS Oxidative stress is caused by the unchecked activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Both ROS and RNS are highly reactive, unstable molecules that, in healthy cells, are created and neutralized as part of normal cell life. However, if the production of free radicals and ROS/RNS exceeds the body's natural defense mechanisms, oxidative damage to vital molecules in the body can occur and may lead to cell dysfunction and cell death. Oxidative stress is also caused by inflammation, exposure to cigarette smoke, pollution, UV light, radiation, certain drugs and other conditions. Oxidative stress also increases as we age. OXIS' goal is to control both direct cellular abnormalities and damage from ROS and RNS. One of ways that this can be accomplished is by using OXIS’s compounds to modulate the activation of certain molecules called transcription factors. Transcription factors are the central control switches in the body that can trigger and modulate a cascade of interrelated events. Activation of transcription factors by ROS/RNS can accelerate inflammatory responses that can cause and contribute to cell death in degenerative and other diseases. OXIS is in the process of early stage development of therapeutic molecules that have the ability to counteract some of these unwanted responses and perhaps be able to counteract different health abnormalities. BXT 51072 (OUR LEAD COMPOUND) AND GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE (GPX) MIMICKING COMPOUNDS BXT-51072 is a low molecular weight, orally active, organoselenium catalytic mimic of one of the major cellular protective antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) which uses glutathione as substrate. BXT-51072 can be taken orally or administered intravenously. In addition to its direct hydrogen peroxide (a central reactive oxygen species) neutralizing capabilities, BXT-51072 regulates secondary inflammatory processes by preventing the activation and release of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, adhesion molecules and inflammatory enzymes. The exact mechanism is unclear but there is evidence that BXT-51072 may function by inhibiting fundamental nuclear transcription mechanisms that govern and regulate inflammation and other significant processes. BXT-51072 was initially developed for use in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, and has demonstrated efficacy and safety in a preliminary Phase 2 study for ulcerative colitis. LIPID SOLUBLE ANTIOXIDANT (LSA) COMPOUNDS OXIS' LSA Molecules are designed to mimic the activity of the body's natural cell membrane-protecting antioxidant, Vitamin E. LSA molecules are 20 to 40 times more potent than Vitamin E and move into cell membranes much more quickly, giving them the opportunity to be effective in areas not necessarily penetrated by the natural Vitamin E. The primary disease targets for this series of molecules will include neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinson disease and cardiovascular diseases in additional to other possibilities. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is a naturally occurring enzyme found in essentially all living organisms. SOD catalyzes the destruction of the “Superoxide” molecule. This enzyme has been used in Spain for many years in the treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Joint Diseases and in the prevention of Radiation Fibrosis and scarring in patients with Colorectal Carcinoma undergoing radiation treatment. Oxis has several patents related to SOD uses and continues to enhance its IP portfolio with additional SOD related technologies.
