Our core scientific approach is centered on one of the most fundamental biological processes of human cells, the process in which the carbohydrates are utilized to provide energy1 and synthesized into chain structures on the protein, lipids, and even some RNAs2. These two distinctly different but interrelated biological processes keep cells resilient, and breakdowns of these processes3 lead to a wide range of diseases that impact millions of people.
1a process called carbohydrate metabolism
2a process called glycosylation
3a process called carbohydrate dysregulations
We are advancing a growing pipeline of investigational medicines to treat diseases associated with carbohydrate dysregulations.
We design molecules that flux into metabolic pathways and target fast carbohydrate catalysis to restrain the growth of cancerous cells.
Carbohydrates are organic molecules that ensure a constant energy supply to our cells. However, alterations in carbohydrate metabolism have been linked to cancer.
Carbohydrate utilization is elevated in cancer cells to meet the increased bioenergetic demand. These metabolic liabilities provide novel therapeutic targets for anti-cancer drug development.
Target:
Pipeline:
Indications:
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Discovery / Lead-Op
Oncology / Infectious Diseases
GL302 is an investigational antimetabolite highly selective for BRAF, KRNS, NRAS, and CDKN2A mutated cancer cells. Mutations in these oncogenes drive metabolic reprogramming through enhanced activities of pentose phosphate, TCA cycle, and other metabolic pathways. GL302 induces profound disturbance to these pathways crucial for producing energy and building blocks essential for cancer cell survival. GL302 is under further optimization for better bioavailability.
GL302 also disturbs host metabolic pathways engaged by the virus, and GL302 possibly alters these pathways to the disadvantage of viral replication. The therapeutic potential of GL302 for treating viral infection is under investigation.
We design molecules that interfere with how the glycans are synthesized and attached (a process called glycosylation) and create new glycan repertoires beneficial for the disease outcome.
Sugar is more than delivering a sweet taste; it exists everywhere in our bodies. Some sugar monomers can form carbohydrate chains that coat our cells and decorate many proteins, lipids, and even some RNAs. These sugar-based carbohydrate chains are called glycans, which are crucial for biological processes.
Alterations of glycans, especially those present on the cell surface, have been associated with many diseases, including cancer and inflammatory diseases.
Target:
Pipeline:
Indications:
Metabolism / Glycosylation
Discovery / Lead-Op
Oncology / Infectious Diseases
Glycure’s lead program, GL105, is a small molecule that represents an entirely new approach to treating cancer and infectious diseases. GL105 targets glycosylation, the process in which glycans are synthesized and attached to the proteins, lipids, and some RNAs. GL105 modulates glycosylation’s metabolic pathways to alter the expression of specific glycans.
GL105 is thought to promote anti-cancer immunity by targeting the expression of immunosuppressive glycans on both tumors and immune cells, restoring the impaired immune response. GL105 also modulates glycan synthesis of viral glycoproteins and alters host metabolism to the disadvantage of viral replication. GL105 is under further optimization for better bioavailability.
We design molecules to target aberrant interactions between glycans and glycan-binding proteins to treat various diseases.
Carbohydrates are not only the energy source; they are also building blocks of cells. Single sugar molecules form chain-like carbohydrate structures, which are called glycans. A dense layer of glycans on the cell surface actively interacts with glycan-binding proteins of immune cells to keep physiological homeostasis.
In many diseases, this homeostasis has been interrupted by either altered glycans or aberrant expression of glycan-binding proteins.
Target:
Pipeline:
Indications:
Glycan – Binding Proteins
Discovery
Oncology / Inflammatory Diseases / Infectious Diseases
GL201 and GL202 are carbohydrate-inspired molecules that target glycan-binding proteins (undisclosed targets). Aberrant interactions between the glycan and glycan-binding proteins lead to pathological conditions such as inflammation and viral infections. These molecules are being evaluated for their potential to interrupt these aberrant interactions.
