Technology
AF243
The molecule AF243 : a drug to restore hearing.
AF243 induces neuron survival and neuronal differentiation.
In vivo, the efficacy of AF243 has been validated on a preclinical model of chemically-induced deafness, designed to test cochlear implants.
AF243 completely restores the excitability of the auditory nerve after the destruction of the sensory cells of the inner ear by ototoxic drugs like antibiotics.
The non-peptide nature of AF243 gives it a competitive advantage over the currently known neurotrophic factors. In addition, its synthesis by chemical means, not by biotechnological processes, guarantees its biological safety.
The pharmacological properties of AF243 suggest that it may be used to treat other neurodegenerative diseases, in particular retinopathies that involve the same type of neurons as those of the auditory system, and also neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system (e.g. Alzheimer, Parkinson, medullar lesions, etc.).
They represent important potential markets currently lacking investment by the pharmaceutical industry.
A later stage will be to test AF243 in a wider context and on major pathologies of the nervous system like Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injuries and other diseases of the central nervous system.
