Biotech Values

[Biowatch]

Squalamine method of action

Some background that might make the press release more readable:

Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels. Blood vessels (veins, arteries, and capillaries) are lined on the inside by a single layer of endothelial cells, which are surrounded by another layer called the basal lamina. The growth of new blood vessels requires the growth (or "proliferation") of new endothelial cells. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) acts as a trigger to cause this growth.

A kinase is an enzyme that adds a phosphate group to something else, typically another protein or enzyme, which alters its function. This often turns the recipient protein or enzyme "on," making it do something. Often you will have a string of kinases (or a "cascade") acting in response to a signal like a series of dominos falling over. In this case, the signal is VEGF, and the result is proliferation of endothelial cells, which result in new blood vessels growing.

Basically, VEGF acts like a light switch, and the kinase act as the wires that bring the signal to the bulb, turning it on (i.e., causing cell groth.) Squalamine disrupts the pathway, effectively cutting the wires, so the growth signal does not get through.