Researchers at Sphinx Pharmaceuticals Corp. have isolated anaturally occurring metabolite that could represent a new classof protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, the Durham, N.C. companyannounced Monday.
The scientists isolated the compound, balanol, from the fungusVerticillium balanoides "Of the PKC inhibitors that have been discovered, balanol isamong the most potent and is structurally unique," said CarsonLoomis, vice president of biomolecular research at Sphinx. Sphinx (NASDAQ:SPHX) is already in Phase II clinical trials withone of its PKC inhibitors, Kynac, as a topical treatment foreczema.-- Jennifer Van Brunt (c) 1997 American Health Consultants. All rights reserved.