Research and Development

Research and Development

Research and development activities at Andes Biotechnologies comprise a series of preclinical studies for the development of a family of anti-cancer drugs based on the discovery of a novel family of RNA targets of mitochondrial origin that when disrupted by antisene technology they selectively destroy cancer cells. These novel proprietary compounds have the capacity of selectively destroying cancer cells without affecting normal cells. 

The compounds discovered by Dr. Luis Burzio and coworkers, act by means of the inactivation of novel noncoding mitochondrial RNAs present in the human cells. To date, most of the research efforts have been related to the identification and characterization of these target RNA molecules and the effects of their inactivation in the induction of cancer cell death by a number of novel oligonucleotide drug compounds developed by the company.

Andes Biotechnologies is currently carrying out studies on the efficacy of these drugs in animal cancer models (Kidney, Cervix, Skin, among others). For example, mice injected with melanoma cells and treated with one drug candidate (Andes-1560) survived more than 140 days, whereas untreated mice died after about 30 days. On the whole, Andes Biotechnologies is undertaking a number of preclinical studies involving diagnosis, formulation, delivery, pharmacology and toxicity in animals which are required before applying for clinical trials in humans.

Andes' research team
The R&D program is carried out by Andes' scientists as well as through contract research organizations. The team directed by Dr. Luis Burzio includes senior scientists Drs. Verónica Burzio, Jaime Villegas and Claudio Villota. In addition, the company has secured a number of research collaborations with experienced institutions such as the Ludwig Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil and the Cancer Institute, University of California, San Francisco.