ATI-3009 (lead optimization)
Recently, a novel bacterial-derived enzyme that specifically and rapidly metabolizes nicotine has been discovered.1 In rodent studies, we found this enzyme to be extremely active. Nicotine that would be absorbed from smoking two cigarettes is completely degraded from the bloodstream within a few minutes, effectively inhibiting nicotine accumulation in the brain.2
ATI has established pre-clinical proof of concept for the enzyme3 and is currently optimizing the nicotine degrading activity, the biological duration of action, and diminishing its potential immunogenicity.
- Xue S, Schlosburg JE, Janda KD: A New Strategy for Smoking Cessation: Characterization of a Bacterial Enzyme for the Degradation of Nicotine. J Am Chem Soc 2015, 137(32):10136-10139.
- Janda, K. D., Kalnik, M. W., Thisted, T. Nicotine-degrading enzymes for treating nicotine addiction and nicotine poisoning. US Patent Application (2015). PCT/US2016/045109 WO/2017/023904.
- Pentel et al. The nicotine-degrading enzyme NicA2 reduces nicotine levels in blood, nicotine distribution to brain, and nicotine discrimination and reinforcement in rats. (2018) BMC Biotechnology 18:46
