Easy entry

Getting molecules into a cell is not an easy task, especially when the molecules are bulky or have properties that bar them from crossing the membrane. Cyclacel Ltd. believes its endonuclear drug delivery system based on penetratin can deliver into the cell large and even charged molecules, which normally are repelled by the outer membrane. Recently, the company found its first partner for the technology, as Corgentech Inc. obtained a license to use penetratins with its transcription factor decoy (TF Decoy) technology platform.

Cyclacel (Dun-dee, U.K.) obtained an exclusive license to penetratins in 1998 from France's National Council of Scientific Research (CNRS), where scientists had discovered homeoproteins. These transcription regulators shuttle continuously between the nucleus and cytoplasm and are able to move from cell to cell...