Origins of Seglin™ technology
Seglins, or Second generation leads from iminosugars, are small highly functionalised polar molecules that have a number of intrinsic properties that make them an attractive class of compounds for the development of new drugs.
Early development of iminosugars
As a structural class, iminosugars have been known from synthetic and natural sources for over 40 years. First generation iminosugars were derived from natural products and although they displayed biological activity, their therapeutic exploitation was severely restricted by issues around low potency, poor selectivity and limited molecular diversity.
Despite these limitations, the potential of iminosugars as a compound class remains compelling with first generation compounds producing a number of clinical candidates that yielded the marketed drugs Zavesca® and Glyset®. The challenge was how to overcome the limitations inherent in first generation iminosugars and release their huge potential. This challenge has been addressed by Summit through the development of Seglin™ technology.
Seglins: Exploiting the potential of iminosugars
Summit’s pioneering work led to the development of Seglins, the new generation of iminosugars. These overcome the limitations of first generation compounds. Seglins have greater structural diversity and exhibit higher selectivity and potency against a wider selection of biochemical targets.
Complex chemistry solved
The carbohydrate-like nature of iminosugars means that traditionally this class of molecules has been perceived as being complex and expensive to synthesise, and that lead compounds could not be readily optimised by medicinal chemists. Seglin™ technology solves these issues. Crucially, Seglins show a host of desirable drug-like properties as summarised in Table 1.
Platform validation
Summit has extensively validated the Seglin platform through hit-to-lead programmes and the generation of detailed biology datasets that includes in vivo proof of concept in multiple target areas.
Expertise and IP protection
The Seglin™ technology platform is protected by an extensive intellectual property estate and our world leading know-how and expertise is augmented by collaborations with leading academics including Professor George Fleet (University of Oxford) and Summit Founder, Professor Stephen Davies (Waynflete Professor of Chemistry, University of Oxford)
Table 1: A summary of the drug like properties of Seglins
