A Crown research institute based in Lower Hutt is playing a leading role
in developing a new cystic fibrosis drug. Industrial Research has been
chosen by top United States drug company Inologic to manufacture the drug
for human testing, which could start late next year.
Research scientist Paul Benjes said it was a feather in Industrial
Research's cap that a New Zealand company had been chosen to develop
the drug in the face of competition from 15 US companies. He attributed
the firm's success to its expertise in carbohydrate chemistry.
"It's an extremely exciting project that involves very difficult
chemistry that has never been attempted before on this scale."
Dr Benjes said the new drug – called INO 4495 – worked
by restoring the chloride and sodium balance in the lungs, preventing
the symptoms from developing. It did that by getting inside the cell,
unlike conventional treatments, which worked on cell membranes.
Source: “NZ develops cystic fibrosis drug”
By Colin Patterson Posted 06 November 2004
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