Therapeutics antioxidants hold promise for Alzheimer's and stroke treatment

Scottish company AOXtherapeutics is pioneering novel treatments for conditions such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Therapeutic antioxidants are compounds designed to provide the body with additional protection from free radicals.

In some conditions, such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease, free radicals are produced in such high numbers that the body's normal defence mechanisms are unable to cope, and severe damage to organs and cells can occur. Antioxidants found in the diet are limited in their effect and it is hoped that the therapeutic antioxidants being developed by AOXtherapeutics will better protect key sites in the body against free radical production and attack.

The first generation of compounds produced by AOXtherapeutics has been licensed from the Rowett Research Institute through its knowledge transfer subsidiary Rowett Research Services Limited (RRS). These compounds, which are subject to worldwide patent applications, are aimed at the treatment of stroke. The first family of compounds draws upon research undertaken at the Rowett by Donald McPhail and Dr Garry Duthie, which used various natural plant compounds as the starting point. Further compounds are already in development.

Funding of £168,000 from the Genomia Seed Fund has enabled AOXtherapeutics to become the fourth company in five years to spin-out from the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen.

"The Genomia investment comes at an important time for AOXtherapeutics," said McPhail, who takes up the post of chief scientific officer of AOXtherapeutics. "We have obtained promising results from our initial screening of some compounds and this investment will enable us to undertake crucial formulation and pre-clinical development more quickly to maintain our leading role in this emerging field."