RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

The R&D strategy of the company is to investigate in depth the pharmacological profile of prostaglandin analogues and to apply the information to any disease optimally suited. This strategy differs from the approach in which a defective protein or a gene is studied and then drug design is used to tailor a specific drug for the disease. The latter approach in its sophistication is much more laborious, slower and requires large resources.

The policy of the company is to test the compounds in man as soon as possible to find out whether a specific analogue has effect or not. If a beneficial, useful effect is seen in man, the exact mechanism of action at a molecular/cellular level can be worked out in collaboration with academic institutions while the clinical program is continuing.

All chemical, toxicological, pharmacokinetical and pharmaceutical development work is performed at GLP compliant laboratories. Thus only the clinical research and IND/regulatory and intellectual property related activities are performed within the company.

The main emphasis is on conducting the R&D activities as efficiently as possible with adequate quality to permit testing of new analogues/concepts in patients in an expedited manner.

Once sufficient evidence has been obtained that a candidate drug works in man the project will be outlicenced for further development to larger pharmaceutical companies with adequate resources.