23 April 2018 - - San Diego, California-based biopharmaceutical company Artelo Biosciences, Inc. (OTCBB: ARTL) and Stonybrook, New York-based not-for-profit The Research Foundation For The State University of New York (RF/SUNY) have entered into a license agreement under which Artelo obtains an exclusive worldwide license to an intellectual property portfolio of Fatty acid binding protein (FAPB) inhibitor drug candidates, the companies said.
FAPB drug candidates have multiple potential indications, including cancer, inflammation and pain.
During the first year of the agreement, Artelo will collaborate closely with the Stony Brook University team that developed the technology to identify a lead development compound, develop a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation, and evaluate activity in nonclinical animal models across select indications.
FABPs have been identified as intracellular transporters for anandamide, an endocannabinoid produced in the brain that binds to cannabinoid receptors. Animal studies have demonstrated that elevated levels of endocannabinoids can result in beneficial pharmacological effects on stress, pain and inflammation and also ameliorate the effects of drug withdrawal.
In addition to these potential applications, Artelo plans to work with Stony Brook to evaluate the utility of FAPB inhibitors to shut down a metabolic pathway in cancer, especially in breast and prostate cancer where emerging nonclinical data is showing significant progress.
Artelo Biosciences is dedicated to the development and commercialization of proprietary endocannabinoid-modulating therapeutics designed to address significant unmet needs in multiple diseases and conditions, including cancer, pain, and inflammation.
Stony Brook University has more than 26,000 students, 2,600 faculty members, and 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs.
The University is a driving force in the region's economy, generating nearly 60,000 jobs and an annual economic impact of more than USD 4.6bn.