Algorae Pharmaceuticals (ASX: 1AI) has announced positive results from pre-clinical studies evaluating the protective qualities of its cardiovascular drug candidate AI-168.

The pre-clinical assessments at the Monash Victorian Heart Institute in Melbourne were designed to further evaluate the drug’s formulation and compare its performance with beta blockers using well-established in vitro models of cardiovascular disease.

The results demonstrated strong cardioprotective qualities, outperforming existing first-line approved beta blockers in three cardiovascular cell lines used to assess the dysregulation of cell growth caused by common cardiac stressors PDGF and angiotensin II.

Restored cell viability

Notably, endothelial cells exposed to elevated angiotensin II in the company’s laboratory work showed significantly reduced cell viability.

When treated with AI-168, those cells effectively restored normal cell proliferation after 48 hours.

The results observed from these in vitro assays will guide the identification of the most appropriate in vivo models of cardiovascular disease, which Algorae is evaluating in conjunction with Monash University researchers.

Cardiovascular statistics

Cardiovascular disease encompasses a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels and accounts for an estimated 17.9 million deaths worldwide annually.

As the global population ages and lifestyles contribute to an increase in risk factors such as obesity and diabetes, the demand for effective cardiovascular medications is expected to rise.

AI-168 will continue to be assessed for medical indications where beta blockers are commonly prescribed—including hypertension, angina, heart failure and arrhythmias, among others.

International patent

Algorae’s pre-clinical studies on AI-168 have culminated in the filing of an international Patent Cooperation Treaty application, enabling the company to seek patent protection for the drug in multiple countries simultaneously.

The application incorporated additional pre-clinical data generated after the submission of a provisional patent application in November 2023.

This represents a significant step in pursuing patent protection for AI-168 in the treatment or prevention of cardiovascular diseases and disorders.

Algorae’s global strategy includes seeking patent protection in key markets such as the US, Europe, Japan, Australia, the UK and other major economies, as is customary in the pharmaceutical industry.

AI drug discovery

Algorae announced earlier this month that it would evaluate 24 new drug targets predicted by the AlgoraeOS artificial intelligence (AI) drug discovery platform, developed in conjunction with the University of New South Wales AI Institute and funded by the CSIRO.

These new drug targets are applicable to a range of oncology indications with significant unmet needs including breast cancer, lung cancer, leukaemia and glioblastoma.

The company stated that the initial readout from AlgoraeOS has “significantly expanded the company’s therapeutic pipeline.”

Dr Sarah Siggins, a former pharmaceutical executive at Bristol-Myers Squibb, recently joined Algorae to provide strategic advice on potential commercial partnerships for AI-generated drug targets owned by the company.