About Us
Founders
Byonox Pvt. Ltd. is a spin-off company of BRIC- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, an autonomous research institute under Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. Our company is co-founded by Prof. B. Ravindran, PhD Former Director, Professor Emeritus (Hon) ILS, Bhubaneswar and Prof. Latha Ravindran, PhD Former Professor (Economics) Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar. Prof. B. Ravindran has 40 years of experience in biotechnology research with previous work published in high-impact journals and patents.
Scientific Innovation
The discovery of small molecule NOSIP antagonists that enhances endogenous production of Nitric Oxide with a broad spectrum biological activity was patent protected in India, EU and USA. –
Development Stage
We are at validation stage research and moving towards pre-clinical trials, prototype development, etc.
Scientific Validation and Traction
We have approached this issue by studying regulation of Nitric Oxide synthesis (NOS). All three isoforms of NOS are post-translationally regulated by Nitric Oxide Synthase Interacting Protein (NOSIP) which acts as a negative regulator of NOS and inhibits NO production. By using a virtual library of 1.5 million small molecule, small molecules that interact with antagonize NOSIP thus enhancing endogenous levels of NO were discovered. The production of NO by cells was demonstrated by 3 different in vitro assays – a) measurement inorganic Nitrites/Nitrates calorimetrically in immune cell culture supernatants b) staining intracellular NO with a fluorescent dye DAF-FM that can be measured by flowcytometry and by c) using a sensitive NO probe that measures change in electrical current of immune cells on release of Nitric Oxide. The following biological consequences of such enhanced Nitric Oxide production were evaluated in vivo a) anti-inflammatory activity in a murine model of endotoxemia, b) anti-inflammatory to block sterile inflammation induced by carrageenan c) anti-hypertensive property in a murine model and d) reversal of chemoresistance to colon cancer cells in nude mice models. More details available at ….link for video
Translational impact of the discovery:
Nitric Oxide (NO), a signalling molecule with very short half-life, performs several functions in physiology and disease conditions. Since NO levels decrease with age, enhancing endogenous NO is one of the unmet needs in clinical medicine in cardiovascular, neural, immune and several other functions including ability to combat infectious pathogens. Currently effective broad spectrum drugs that increase NO do not exist with the exception of Sildenafil (Viagra) which has a very limited use for management of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor resulting in increased availability of cGMP which enhances biological activity of Nitric Oxide. It is essential to note that it does not increase production of endogenous Nitric Oxide but only enhances bioavailability of cGMP. SM NOSIP antagonist enhances endogenous Nitric Oxide with a broad spectrum biological activity and is cost effective for sustainable practices.
Funding Requirements
We are seeking investment, partnerships, academic collaborations to for research and product development for different applications and their pre-clinical and clinical trials.