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> Rational Steroid Design
Rational Steroid Design
In order to realize the potential of its proprietary class of molecules, Harbor BioSciences is drawing on the extensive history of steroid medicinal chemistry and applying the techniques previously used to develop other classes of steroid molecules into pharmaceuticals. Results from many decades of research afford Harbor BioSciences the chemical solutions that were previously developed to improve the potency, bioavailability and other pharmacological properties of these other steroid classes of pharmaceuticals.
In ongoing research focused on the structure-activity dynamic of its steroid-based molecules, Harbor BioSciences continues to build on the immune stimulating, anti-inflammatory and cell proliferative properties of its compounds with the goal of identifying optimized second-generation development candidates for multiple diseases and disorders. Through an active program of structure-activity relationship studies, the Company is leveraging its Hormonal Signaling Technology Platform to identify second-generation molecules that have greater potency and more desirable pharmaceutical properties than first-generation molecules.
Starting with an understanding of the metabolism and biological activity of steroid hormones, Harbor BioSciences is using known methods to optimize molecules that meet specified drug requirements for each target indication. These molecules can then be screened in order to select clinical candidates for future development for a variety of indications.
For example, by first defining the chemical structure associated with anti-inflammatory activity, and then using the tools of medicinal chemistry, the Company’s scientists have made molecules more stable and with improved pharmaceutical properties.