Synedgen Expands Research Focus to broaden indications for core platform of novel pharmaceuticals — Appoints New Senior Scientist to lead research and discovery team
February 15, 2018–Synedgen announces the appointment of Allister J. Loughran, PhD as Senior Scientist to lead its research operations and to expand research indications for its platform of biologically active glycopolymers in areas of infectious disease, systemic inflammation and the innate immune response to injury or exposure.
“Our research indicates that there are far reaching applications for Synedgen’s family of glycopolymers to reduce microbial invasion and inflammation and enhance innate immunity” stated Dr. William Wiesmann, M.D., Synedgen CEO. “Dr. Loughran brings us a unique experience and expertise in the models, systems and experimental design that we are expanding to conduct the pre-clinical research necessary to develop these potentially important drugs”.
We are particularly excited that Dr. Loughran’s training and expertise in bacterial infection and inflammation models will be instrumental as Synedgen develops new products focused on the interplay between bacterial interactions and mucosal or dermal injury with the innate immune system and regenerative processes. ” said Synedgen President, Dr. Shenda Baker.
“Dr. Loughran will provide scientific leadership and oversight as Synedgen continues its therapeutic product expansion. His experience in designing in vitro assays to predict and direct clinically meaningful in vivo studies will support a broad expansion of our drug development vision,” added Dr. Baker.
Dr. Loughran previously served as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Infectious Diseases Department, in Memphis TN, where he investigated a broad range of related infectious and injury models that included the effects of bacterial products released in response to antibiotic treatment on inflammation in developing brains.
Dr. Loughran earned his PhD in Microbiology/Immunology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and his BSc. in Microbiology and Molecular biology at Monash University, Australia. He conducted his Doctoral Research at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where he studied the potential of the Staph aureus gene product , sarA, to become a drug target in a number of bacterial infections, including sepsis and osteomyelitis.
About Synedgen
Synedgen Inc. is developing a new class of drugs with the ability to suppress inflammation, reduce infection and improve healing in the gastrointestinal tract and pulmonary tree and to reduce damage and inflammation due to chemical, radiological or physical damage using the science of glycomics – the study of complex sugar structure and function. Synedgen uses its Glycomics Technology Platform (GTP) to discover and develop ultra-purified glycopolymers that enhance and mimic the innate immune system by targeting the cell surface glycocalyx and mucosal surface.
Synedgen has successfully leveraged the GTP to develop marketed Prisyna oral care and Synedgen wound care products, as well as inhaled pulmonary drugs, which have been licensed to Synspira with SNSP113 currently in clinical development for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Synedgen has established research and manufacturing facilities in Claremont, California.