CytRx Corporation Awarded $222,000 SBIR Grant to Develop Novel Inhibitors for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity Treatment

Strategic Insights -

CytRx Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company, has been awarded a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant of approximately $222,000 to develop novel inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The grant was awarded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), due to CytRx's expertise in small molecule and structure-based drug design. Obesity is a significant contributor to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, and the company's inhibitors aim to target fatty acid synthase, a key enzyme involved in the regulation of de novo synthesis of saturated fatty acids.

Key Takeaways:

  • CytRx Corporation was awarded a $222,000 Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant to develop novel inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
  • The grant was awarded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), due to CytRx's expertise in small molecule and structure-based drug design.
  • Obesity is the single most significant contributor to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, and a major factor in the increased incidence of this disease.
  • Fatty acid synthase regulates de novo synthesis of saturated fatty acids, which play an important role in converting excess caloric intake into lipids for storage and providing energy when needed.
  • Elevation of plasma free fatty acid levels is an important clinical feature in type 2 diabetes and obesity.
  • Steven A. Kriegsman, president and CEO of CytRx, stated that the grant indicates the importance of the company's work in developing a potential treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes, major worldwide health concerns.
  • Jerry W. Skiles, PhD, director of chemistry at CytRx Corporation, is the principal investigator of the grant and will conduct the grant-supported studies at CytRx's Drug Discovery research laboratory in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Statistics:

  • The SBIR grant was approximately $222,000.
  • The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
  • Obesity is the single most significant contributor to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.

Sources:

  • Health & Medicine Week
  • NewsRx.com
  • The Small Business Innovation Development Act (established in 1982)