Attenuon, L.L.C. is a pharmaceutical company seeking to develop a new generation of cancer therapeutics: organized around developing cancer therapeutics to disrupt cellular signaling processes to tumor growth and metastatsis. instead of poisoning cells, these therapies are designed to selectively disrupt cellular signaling processes important to tumor growth and metastasis (the spreading of tumors). Based on this approach, Attenuon hopes to develop therapies that will be effective against many types of cancer, produce few side effects, be less prone to acquired drug resistance, be suitable for long-term use, and work well with existing therapies. The firm offered ATN-224 that disrupts signaling pathways involved in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis, including those mediated by multiple kinases, as well as NF-kappaB by inhibiting the enzyme superoxide dismutase; and ATN-161, a five-amino acid peptide derived from fibronectin. Coincident with its SBIR involvement. it was announced that the Japanese firm Kirin Brewery and its US subsidiary Gemini Science would work with Attenuon to develop fully human monoclonal antibody (MAb) candidates as cancer therapeutic and diagnostic agents.
