EPIGEN BIOSCIENCES
Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development
Epigen is a drug discovery and development company enabling new therapeutic programs and product opportunities with strong intellectual property (IP) to be advanced into clinical development.
LPA1R ANTAGONIST
Diabetic Kidney Disease,
Other Indications Non-Alcoholic Steatoheptatits, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Renal fibrosis is the final common pathway for virtually every type of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that is responsible for significant mortality. This disease places an enormous burden on our healthcare system, as expenditure for CKD patients currently accounts for more than a quarter of Medicare spending which is only expected to rise. In 2020, approximately 143,000 new patients are projected to start renal replacement therapy in the United States; approximately 786,000 patients with ESRD are projected to be treated that year at an annual cost of $54 billion to the Medicare program.
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe type of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is the most common liver disease and is associated with obesity and type-2 diabetes. There are no effective treatments available for NASH.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a type of lung disease that results in scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs for an unknown reason. Over time, the scarring gets worse and it becomes hard to take in a deep breath and the lungs cannot take in enough oxygen.
SIGMA1R LIGAND
Alzheimer's Disease, Other Indications ALS, Diabetic Retinopathy, Rett Syndrome
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease of the brain which leads to loss of memory and cognitive function. With aging world population, number of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease is increasing rapidly. Large unmet need owing to lack of effective, disease-modifying drugs.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness, and is characterized by loss of neurons and disruption of retinal vasculature in the retina. Between 40 to 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have some stage of diabetic retinopathy. Patients with diabetes lose color and contrast sensitivity within 2 years of the retinopathy onset. Focal ERG (electroretinogram) analysis, which detects electrical responses of ganglion cells, reveals dysfunction of these cells early in diabetes. Pharmacologic treatment for the neuronal and vascular manifestations of DR are severely limited, except some injectable treatments such as Lucentis and Eyelea, thus there is a high medical need for new agents to address DR.
Rett syndrome is a rare non-inherited genetic postnatal neurological disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls and leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of the child’s life: their ability to speak, walk, eat, and even breathe easily. The hallmark of Rett syndrome is near constant repetitive hand movements while awake. Cognitive assessment in children with Rett syndrome is complicated, but we know that they understand far more than they can communicate to us, evidenced by their bright and attentive eyes, and their ability to express a wide spectrum of moods and emotions.
P70 S6 KINASE INHIBITOR
Fragile X Syndrome
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inheritable form of cognitive impairment and the leading known genetic cause of autism. FXS is caused by the loss of expression of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). A major challenge for FXS research is to develop treatment strategies that improve the intellectual capabilities of patients. Dysregulated protein synthesis is widely accepted as a core molecular abnormality associated with FXS. Because neuronal protein synthesis is critical for learning and memory, altered synaptic translation is considered a major contributor to the intellectual deficits seen in FXS. Currently available pharmacological intervention strategies for FXS primarily treat behavioral problems and have focused largely on targets upstream of translational control to normalize FXS-related phenotypes. We have identified a specific target that is a common downstream effector of both mTORC1 and ERK signaling and plays a direct role in regulating translation. Genetic deletion of the target in an animal model of FXS corrected exaggerated protein synthesis and other biochemical, neuroanatomical and behavioral abnormalities associated with FXS. These results suggest a strategy for developing a disease modifying therapeutic for FXS. By using a rational design approach that combines structural protein information and optimal ADME properties, we have discovered a novel series of potent inhibitors. Epigen has developed specific and drug-like small molecule inhibitors to this target. We have teamed up with Dr. Alysson Muotri's laboratories at UCSD to propose a novel discovery paradigm for effective drug candidate compounds for FXS by using newly developed cerebral organoids, or “mini-brains” to model the disease in 3D in the laboratory.
PAM-II
Stroke, TBI
Stroke is a major cause of death and disabilities in the United States but substantial investments in developing anti-stroke medicine have struggled to produce clinically-efficacious therapies. Our optimism for PAM-II-based therapies in stroke stems from the potent therapeutic effects of a7 nAChR activation associated with ubiquitous a7 nAChR expression in neuronal and immune tissues. PAM-IIs appear to augment multiple endogenous anti-stroke therapeutic pathways complimentary to reperfusion and thus, beyond classical neuroprotection. This concept is novel and substantively different from strategies used in the past. Furthermore, the anticipated clinical utility of PAMIIs is likely to extend beyond stroke to certain neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders linked to cognitive decline and attention deficits (e.g., dementias, schizophrenia) because these conditions are associated with decreased cholinergic tone and a decrease, but not disappearance, of functional a7 nAChRs. Thus, PAMIIs are expected to improve cognitive function and attention by increasing cholinergic tone via potentiating a7 activity. In this regard, PAMII-based treatments are expected to benefit stroke patients via multiple mechanisms and routes of action.
ABOUT US
Epigen is discovering novel therapies for unmet medical needs
Epigen is a start-up pharmaceutical company with a mission to discover innovative, proprietary drugs for unmet medical needs. The company works in a highly collaborative translational manner, to facilitate the transition of discoveries from laboratory to clinic. We operate through collaboration with academic groups in their respective areas of expertise. Epigen provides strategic project management and medicinal chemistry support. The company founders have over 50 years combined successful experience in drug discovery and development and a track record of advancing compounds to the clinic and commercial registration. The company creates value by bridging the gap between lead identification and clinical proof-of concept. Ideally, each asset will have a 2-5 years turnaround time from IP to IND enablement and completion of Phase 1 studies. Epigen uses advanced hit-to-lead and lead optimization methods, such as computational design, scaffold-hopping, focused library synthesis and screening. We use modern in silico drug discovery tools in concert with ADME property determination. Our established network of resources gives us the capability to discover assets and advance them beyond IND stage into early clinical trials through the evaluation of physicochemical properties, solubility, metabolic stability, CYP450 inhibition, hERG liability, oral bioavailability, CNS penetration, toxicology and in vivo efficacy.
Chief Business Officer
Chief Scientific Officer
Chief Operating Officer
OPEN POSITIONS
We’re hiring, please apply at info@epigenbiosciences.com
RESEARCH SCIENTIST - CHEMISTRY
The position offers significant growth opportunities in terms of contributing to the development of science and individual growth
Requires a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry or related field, 1+ years industry/postdoctoral experience
May supervise junior level chemist
Experience with modern synthetic organic chemistry, purification, and analysis is required
Experience with using ChemDraw/Reaxys/SciFinder
Performance of routine synthesis of heterocyclic compounds in milligram to multi-gram scale to support lead identification and optimization and record-keeping
Performance of purification of synthesized compounds using prep-TLC, silica gel/C18 column chromatography
Performance of and analyzing compounds using NMR spectra and LCMS
Performance of Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Good communication and presentation skills to effectively work with cross-functional groups with diverse background and interests
Strong attention to detail, excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to work with a team of individuals to meet goals
Must be physically capable of lifting 50 pounds
SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE/RESEARCH ASSOCIATE - CHEMISTRY
The position offers significant growth opportunities in terms of contributing to the development of science and individual growth
Requires an MS/BS in synthetic organic chemistry or related field, 1+ years industry experience
Experience with modern synthetic organic chemistry, purification, and analysis is required
Experience with using ChemDraw/Reaxys/SciFinder
Performance of routine synthesis of heterocyclic compounds in milligram to multi-gram scale to support lead identification and optimization and record-keeping
Performance of purification of synthesized compounds using prep-TLC, silica gel/C18 column chromatography
Performance of and analyzing compounds using NMR spectra and LCMS
Performance of Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Good communication and presentation skills to effectively work with cross-functional groups with diverse background and interests
Strong attention to detail, excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to work with a team of individuals to meet goals
Must be physically capable of lifting 50 pounds
RESEARCH SCIENTIST - BIOLOGY
Position offers significant growth opportunities in terms of contributing to the development of science and individual growth.
Requires a PhD in biology or related field, 1+ years industry/postdoctoral experience.
May supervise junior level biologist
Experience with cell culture and cell-based in vitro assays is required
Experience with the development and optimization of in vitro biological assays is required
Performance of routine assays to support lead identification and optimization
Performance of molecular biology techniques, such as Western blotting and transient transfection
Performance of data analysis, reporting and record keeping
Performance of Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Good communication and presentation skills to effectively work with cross-functional groups with diverse background and interests
Strong attention to detail, excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to work with a team of individuals to meet goals
Must be physically capable of lifting 50 pounds
SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE/RESEARCH ASSOCIATE - BIOLOGY
Position offers significant growth opportunities in terms of contributing to the development of science and individual growth
Requires an MS/BS in biology or related field, 1+ years industry experience
Experience with cell culture and cell-based in vitro assays is required
Experience with the development and optimization of in vitro biological assays is required
Performance of routine assays to support lead identification and optimization
Performance of molecular biology techniques, such as Western blotting and transient transfection
Performance of data analysis, reporting and record keeping
Performance of Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Good communication and presentation skills to effectively work with cross-functional groups with diverse background and interests
Strong attention to detail, excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to work with a team of individuals to meet goals
Must be physically capable of lifting 50 pounds
CONTACT US
Interested in placing an order or learning more? Simply reach out today.
6725 Mesa Ridge Rd, Suite 260
San Diego, CA 92121, USA