Phoenix Biotechnology, Inc. has explored and continues to explore the many potential therapeutic uses of products derived in part or in whole from extracts of Nerium oleander. The company is focused on development and commercialization of related products in the areas of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and virus-mediated diseases. To date, very positive in vitro and in vivo data have been obtained in all three areas. The company’s products that have been evaluated in humans have been found to be safe and effective when used as intended.
Development of a safe and effective cancer therapy was and remains a key company objective. Efforts thus far have resulted in the development of PBI-05204 and ANVIRZEL®. The anticancer activity and safety of PBI-05204 has been explored in FDA approved Phase I and Phase II clinical trials conducted in the USA. Data demonstrated that PBI-05204 can be safely orally administered to cancer patients using an FDA approved clinical protocol. Even high oral doses of PBI-05204 resulted in minimal treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE’s). Moreover, recent research conducted in a collaboration with leading oncologists in Italy has shown that PBI-05204 works extremely well when administered to mice with human glioblastoma tumors. Its anticancer activity is enhanced when used in combination with standard of care chemotherapy and radiotherapy, offering hope that these findings can be translated to human trials of this deadly form of brain cancer.
PBI scientists in collaboration with Duke University have found that oleandrin and other components of the company’s Nerium oleander extracts (NOEs) have the ability to significantly reduce ischemic stroke mediated neuronal damage. The PBI products evaluated (PBI-05204, PBI-04711, and PBI-01011) also increased antioxidant activity within the brain, suggesting that induction of a major brain neuron growth factor (BDNF) assists with repair and regrowth of neuronal activity lost to stroke damage and also provides protection against oxidative injury such as that which occurs with neuroinflammation, which is believed to be the basis of several neurodegenerative diseases.
Currently, a major R&D effort of PBI is directed towards defining and commercially exploiting the antiviral potential of NOEs against a variety of viruses that have significant impact on human as well as domestic and commercial animal health and wellbeing. Initial in vitro and in vivo data have been extremely promising and demonstrate both therapeutic as well as prophylactic activity that employs a multimodal antiviral mechanism of action.