NitroMed: In the NO

Basic biochemical research often uncovers potential therapeutic targets in unusual places. The elucidation of signaling pathways involving nitric oxide (NO), a short-lived gas, surprised many academic scientists. Since being named Science magazine's 1992 molecule of the year, NO is now recognized as a widely-used signaling molecule.

NitroMed Inc. is taking advantage of NO signaling to modify and improve existing compounds or approved drugs in disease areas that would benefit from local delivery of nitric oxide. (Another company, Medinox Inc., is pursuing the opposite approach: reducing the amount of NO present in cases where too much is harmful - see BioCentury April 14, 1997.)...