PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. (PLX)

[genisi]

Despite the potential as a small molecule to cross the blood-brain barrier, it hasn't shown improvement in neurologic symptoms in patients with type 3 GD.

GENZ will study a range of existing compounds formulated in a novel brain targeted liposomes:

Genzyme to Evaluate to-BBB’s Technology for Delivering Biologics to the Brain

http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=67331403&source=genwire

GEN News Highlights

Genzyme and Netherlands-based to-BBB established a research collaboration to evaluate the use of the latter’s G-Technology™ to transport biologics against neurodegenerative diseases across the blood brain barrier (BBB).

G-Technology has been developed to transport different classes of drugs directly across this barrier using glutathione-coated liposomes. The company’s research partnership with Genzyme follows on from a similar agreement with MedImmune, signed in September.

Liposomal formulation allows the encapsulation of a wide range of compounds and biological molecules without changing their function and protecting them against degradation and immune responses, according to to-BBB. Coating liposomes with PEG further ensures a prolonged circulation time in plasma. Conjugation of glutathione to the tips of the PEG molecules targets the liposomes toward the active glutathione transporters on the blood-brain barrier, the firm explains.

to-BBB’s lead in-house project is 2B3-101, a G-Technology formulated doxorubicin, currently in preclinical development. A Phase I/II trial is expected to start during the second half of 2010. Additional preclinical-stage in-house projects are ongoing in diseases including Alzheimer’s and lysosomal storage diseases.