Carbohydrate Chemistry group

The group also provides high quality, fast-paced drug discovery and bench level synthesis of organic compounds to global clients. The co-location of our business unit GlycoSyn on the IRL site seamlessly transitions our bench chemistry to multi-kilogram synthesis and cGMP manufacture of drugs for human clinical trials. 

Our research areas include:

Potent enzyme inhibitors

We employ computational and experimental measurements in combination with synthetic chemistry to compete internationally in the rational design of drug candidates. Through this approach the flagship programme, in collaboration with Professor Vern Schramm (Albert Einstein College of Medicine), has synthesised a class of extremely potent enzyme inhibitors (pM) that selectively block proliferating cells. For example, one of the discoveries from this work, Forodesine, is currently in a late phase clinical trial for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and other leads have shown efficacy in pre-clinical models for head and neck, lung, prostate and colon cancer. Read more about our glycotherapeutics research.

Adjuvants mean less of a vaccine's expensive active ingredient is needed to provoke an immune response.

Carbohydrate natural products

Our strong natural products expertise includes the isolation and identification of carbohydrate-containing chemicals from various sources, providing numerous drug leads for the group to explore further. For example, glycolipids from pathogenic bacteria have shown promise as immuno-modulators which can have applications as vaccine adjuvants and drugs for atopic disease. This work is being done in collaboration with various New Zealand partners including industry, Crown Research Institutes and universities. Read more about our carbohydrate nanotechnology research.

Gut-health

Carbohydrate-containing compounds isolated from non-pathogenic or good bacteria can contribute to general gut health. These structures appear to 'set' the immune system in a favourable mode that allows normal function. Having identified and characterised these structures we are now looking to incorporate these compounds into foods.

Sulfated oligosaccharides

Samples of sulfated oligosaccharides, which play an important role in numerous biological systems and diseases, have been isolated and characterised from various sources. We are synthesing specific examples of these complicated molecules, which, in collaboration with Professor Jerry Turnbull from the University of Liverpool, will be tested in a variety of models for disease including cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. In related work, together with an industry partner, we have a longer-term goal of manufacturing these powerful biological compounds in New Zealand. Read more about our new synthesis methodologies research.

Chiral scaffolds

We also have expertise in the synthesis of novel imino-sugars that can be used as chiral scaffolds in drug discovery. For example, pyrrolidine-containing pharmaceuticals have already been licensed by US companies from this research and we have strong links with GlycoSyn and NZ Pharmaceuticals that allow the rapid scale-up and synthesis of lead compounds. Read more >>

In summary, the combination of the following complimentary skills: 

• natural product isolation
• characterisation of complex carbohydrate structures
• chemical synthesis
• drug development and
• glycol-immunology insights

together with strategic academic and commercial alliances, places us in a unique position to research and discover new carbohydrate-based drug candidates.