The objective of IMPEDE was to investigate the commercial viability of the use of novel formulations of pantethine, a natural molecule, as an addition to existing therapies for inflammatory diseases. The novel formulation was aimed at increasing pantethine bioavailability to enable its immunomodulatory effects in autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, and brain diseases in which inflammation mechanisms play a detrimental role, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Pantethine is a low-cost compound already commercialised as a food supplement, and previously published results show safety of pantethine treatment in humans. It has anti-inflammatory properties that are, however, limited in effectiveness due to rapid breakdown after administration. Moreover, based on our unpublished data, derivatives produced after pantethine hydrolysis are devoid of anti-inflammatory effects, and that the intact pantethine molecule is required for its therapeutic effect.
IMPEDE project led to the production of new pantethine formulations, which were tested in experimental settings in vitro and in vivo. Particularly, we identified a new pantethine formulation with improved bioavailability and sustained release in the intestine after oral administration. Importantly, the new formulation efficiently ameliorated disease severity in experimental models of autoimmune pathologies. Together with strategic partners we also performed a market analysis and established a business plan to exploit the new pantethine formulation. Our results may lead to a new product, which may represent an innovative therapeutic approach with less collateral effects in inflammatory autoimmune diseases and in Alzheimer's disease, which are diseases with an enormous social impact.
