Article Excerpt:
TWST: Would you give us a brief historical sketch of the company and a picture of the things you're doing at the present time?Mr. Lief: Two co-Founders and I started the company in 1997. We have always focused on a particular type of target called the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). With our technology, we currently have five programs in development. The most advanced is in Phase III for obesity. We also have programs for Type II diabetes, insomnia, atherosclerosis, and for arterial thrombosis.
TWST: Would you explain GPCR?
Mr. Lief: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most common targets for
drugs that are already available on the market. Antihistamines such as Claritin
and Benadryl address a GPCR type of receptor. There are hundreds of GPCRs -
anti-ulcer products and cardiovascular products all address GPCRs. Perhaps half
of all drugs that are on the market today address GPCRs. We focused on GPCRs to
allow us to develop very selective and unique compounds.
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