Forodesine (PNP Inhibitor)

Structure of PNP enzyme

Forodesine is an orally-available transition-state analog inhibitor of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), a purine salvage pathway enzyme that is essential for the proliferation of T-cells and B-cells. Typically, T- and B-cells are an essential part of the body's immune system, but when they multiply uncontrollably they can cause various forms of cancer. Inhibiting PNP produces selective suppression of T- and B-cells, inducing apoptosis in both types of cells.

Forodesine has been granted Orphan Drug status by the FDA for three indications: T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including CTCL; CLL and related leukemias including T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, adult T-cell leukemia, and hairy cell leukemia; and for treatment of B-ALL. The FDA has also granted “fast track” status to the development of forodesine for the treatment of relapsed or refractory T-cell leukemia, and Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) from the FDA for forodesine to conduct a pivotal clinical trial in CTCL with an oral formulation.

Corporate Partnership

In November 2011, BioCryst and Mundipharma amended their 2006 licensing agreement to grant Mundipharma exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize forodesine in the field of oncology.