Overview

Circadian is developing a variety of drugs to block the interaction between VEGF Receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) and its ligands VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Drugs blocking this pathway would represent a novel and potentially revolutionary treatment approach for the treatment of cancer and eye disease, particularly corneal disease. VEGFR-3 inhibitors may treat cancer by two mechanisms: First, inhibition of the ligands VEGF-C and VEGF-D blocks tumour angiogenesis, suppressing blood vessel development, starving tumours of oxygen and nutrients needed to grow. Second, tumours are known to metastasize through the lymphatic system. Tumour metastasis is often the direct factor leading to patient mortality. Blocking VEGFR-3 activation stops lymphangiogenesis, which in turn reduces the ability of tumours to spread. This approach to cancer treatment is potentially more effective than chemotherapy and may have greatly reduced side-effects. Circadian holds an extensive intellectual property position protecting its rights as the exclusive developer of this class of drugs.