Redox reimagined: Reversing disease

Snow Canyon Therapeutics

THE URGENT NEED

Redox-sensitive signaling pathways are fundamental in basic cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis1; for this purpose, redox states remains tightly regulated to maintain proper cellular control of function2. There are many examples of an oxidative etiology of diseases, including metabolic3,4 and neurological diseases5.

In all cases, activation of a cell’s antioxidant defense pathway through the transcription factor NRF2 is purported to strongly protect against disease. When free radical production becomes excessive to the point of altering intracellular redox couples, protein redox states can be altered, changing function and cellular behaviors. When cellular antioxidant capacities fail, free radicals can cause damage to macromolecules, such as DNA lipids and proteins.

A FAILED SOLUTION

The NRF2 pathway is considered a response mechanism for dealing with excessive oxidative stress and preventing cellular damage/dysfunction.

Historically, compounds that target NRF2 upregulation to mitigate various disease states have done so by acting as mild oxidants and are not tenable because of toxicity caused by “off target” oxidation.

The Snow Canyon Therapeutics Approach is Different

We have developed a novel, highly effective, and safe non-toxic approach to restoring redox homeostasis. Our pre-clinical studies have validated the great utility of our unique approach to treating redox-associated diseases. We are developing medicines that can improve patients’ quality of life.

OUR PIPELINE

our pipeline

At Snow Canyon Therapeutics, we’re focused on discovering new frontiers that have yet to be explored. We build on the work of previous scientists and researchers, acknowledging their contributions to our field.

Located in the southwestern corner of Utah, “Snow Canyon” is a region where three distinct geological areas converge: the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert. Like this convergence, our team is composed of researchers and thought leaders from various sectors, such as science, healthcare, and industry. Inspired by the unique beauty of Snow Canyon, we chose its name to symbolize the power of diverse environments coming together to create something remarkable.

LEADERSHIP

David Blackwell

David Blackwell

CEO

David Kooyman, PhD

David Kooyman, PhD

CSO

Jason Hansen, PhD

Jason Hansen, PhD

VP of Biology

Merritt Andrus, PhD

Merritt Andrus, PhD

VP of Chemistry

BOARD MEMBERS

Don Watkins

Don Watkins

Chair

Robert Mitchell

Robert Mitchell

Michael Wiley

Michael Wiley

ADVISORS

Bob Carey

Guardant Health

David Bearss

Halia Therapeutics

Val Sheffield

Iowa

William Smith

Guardant Health

Dave Thomson

BYU
connect with snow canyon therapeutics

Redox reimagined:

Reversing disease.

Want to know more? Let’s stay in touch.

references

  1. Hansen JM. Oxidative stress as a mechanism of teratogenesis. Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today. 2006;78(4):293-307.
  2. Ma Q. Role of NRF2 in oxidative stress and toxicity. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 2013;53:401-26.
  3. Guo YX, Liu L, Yan DZ, Guo JP. Plumbagin prevents osteoarthritis in human chondrocytes through Nrf-2 activation. Molecular Medicine Reports. 2017;15(4):2333-8.
  4. Vaamonde-Garcia C, Courties A, Pigenet A, Laiguillon MC, Sautet A, Houard X, et al. The nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor/heme oxygenase-1 axis is critical for the inflammatory features of type 2 diabetes-associated osteoarthritis. J Biol Chem. 2017;292(35):14505-15.
  5. Singh A, Kukreti R, Saso L, Kukreti S. Oxidative Stress: A Key Modulator in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Molecules. 2019;24(8).