About Us
Pacific Northwest Biotechnology, LLC (PNB), is a small, privately held biotechnology firm located in Pullman, Washington. PNB was founded with the express purpose of designing and delivering innovative theropeutic agents.
Our focus is to develop novel peptide and peptidomimetic drugs that are designed to alter tissue structure and remodeling for the purpose of achieving theropeutic benefit in diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.
Our focus is to develop novel peptide and peptidomimetic drugs that are designed to alter tissue structure and remodeling for the purpose of achieving theropeutic benefit in diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.
Mission Statement
PNB, incorporated in the State of Washington, was established to translate the research findings of its founders, Drs. Joe Harding and Jay Wright, into clinically relevant pharmaceuticals. PNB's Board of Directors includes distinguished individuals from business, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology companies located in the States of Washington and California. The company is well capitalized and financially positioned to take each of their drug development programs to the IND stage.
Research Focus
PNB's proprietary position in drug development stems from discoveries made by its founding scientists that are central to understanding the regulation of tissue remodeling that accompanies several significant pathologies and disease states. These discoveries have led to the development of several libraries of angiotensin-related peptides and peptidomimetics that target the c-Met/HGF signaling system and possess therapeutic potential for treating, among other things, metastatic, neurodegenerative, and fibrotic diseases, as well as abnormalities in wound healing. Although the endogenous angiotensins were previously known, their role as critical regulators of extracellular matrix structure, and thus tissue remodeling and repair, was not recognized until the work of PNB's founders. The large number of prototype pharmaceuticals developed by PNB scientists provides a selection of unique "first in class" drugs for the treatment of pathophysiological conditions that involve aberrant structural remodeling. Included among PNB's drug libraries are molecules that can inhibit and facilitate c-Met signaling, possess picomolar affinities for their targets, have favorable pharmacokinetic properties, and most importantly exhibit excellent therapeutic activities. The research that underlies PNB's technology platform was supported by NIH, NSF, SBIR, and American Heart Association grants as well as direct investments by the founders. The resulting patents held by WSU were exclusively licensed to PNB by the WSU Intellectual Properties Office.
Preclinical Results
Cancer: PNB has identified high affinity lead compounds from each of its two relevant libraries that attenuate c-Met signaling, block HGF-dependent cellular responses, possess marked anti-angiogenic activity, directly inhibit the proliferation and migration of various cancer cell types, and exhibit dramatic anti-cancer activity in murine models of melanoma and breast cancer. The anti-tumor activity observed includes the suppression of both primary tumor growth and the colonization of metastatic tumors to secondary sites. The pharmacokinetic characterization of one of the lead molecules is complete and the characterization of the second is underway. Hundreds of back-up molecules are available for testing.
CNS: PNB has been developing three independent technologies for the treatment of dementias. The first includes molecules derived from the first library of molecules, several of which exhibit dramatic pro-cognitive activity in varied dementia models. The second technology exploits the observation that the libraries constructed for the purpose of making c-Met antagonists inadvertently produced a number of interesting agonists, that also possess pro-cognitive activity. Critical to the potential utility of these molecules is the demonstration that the lead compound from this group is blood-brain barrier permeant and is effective at reversing scopolamine-induced amnesia when delivered peripherally. The third technology is based on a discovery made by PNB scientists that aged, cognitively impaired rats, over-express several matrix metalloproteinases (enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix), that interfere with the maturation of synaptic connections, a process that is requisite for learning and memory storage. PNB has identified MMP inhibitors that reverse the cognitive deficits observed in aged rats when delivered peripherally. Pharmacokinetic characterization remains to be completed on these compounds.
Wound Healing: PNB has two lead compounds directed at facilitating dermal wound healing. These compounds have been administered via a number of routes of administration including topical, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous with very positive results. The facilitory effect results in wound closure 2-3 days faster than controls, accompanied by a 100% increase in the adhesive strength of the healed wound at 10 days post-wounding. Pharmacokinetic studies have yet to be completed on these two compounds.
Summary: The successful completion of these critical preclinical studies demonstrating the efficacy of PNB's drugs as anti-tumor agents, and potent cognitive and wound healing enhancers, places this company in a position to seek corporate partners interested in moving these technologies forward.
CNS: PNB has been developing three independent technologies for the treatment of dementias. The first includes molecules derived from the first library of molecules, several of which exhibit dramatic pro-cognitive activity in varied dementia models. The second technology exploits the observation that the libraries constructed for the purpose of making c-Met antagonists inadvertently produced a number of interesting agonists, that also possess pro-cognitive activity. Critical to the potential utility of these molecules is the demonstration that the lead compound from this group is blood-brain barrier permeant and is effective at reversing scopolamine-induced amnesia when delivered peripherally. The third technology is based on a discovery made by PNB scientists that aged, cognitively impaired rats, over-express several matrix metalloproteinases (enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix), that interfere with the maturation of synaptic connections, a process that is requisite for learning and memory storage. PNB has identified MMP inhibitors that reverse the cognitive deficits observed in aged rats when delivered peripherally. Pharmacokinetic characterization remains to be completed on these compounds.
Wound Healing: PNB has two lead compounds directed at facilitating dermal wound healing. These compounds have been administered via a number of routes of administration including topical, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous with very positive results. The facilitory effect results in wound closure 2-3 days faster than controls, accompanied by a 100% increase in the adhesive strength of the healed wound at 10 days post-wounding. Pharmacokinetic studies have yet to be completed on these two compounds.
Summary: The successful completion of these critical preclinical studies demonstrating the efficacy of PNB's drugs as anti-tumor agents, and potent cognitive and wound healing enhancers, places this company in a position to seek corporate partners interested in moving these technologies forward.
Founders and Board of Directors
PNB's scientists are headed by its founders Drs. Joe Harding and Jay Wright who each have more than 30+ years of experience as medicinal chemist/biochemist and physiologist/neuroscientist, respectively. Dr. Brent Yamamoto directs the day-to-day operation of the company, and leads the oncology-related research activities. Dr. Yamamoto is trained in pharmacology/toxicology and pharmacokinetics plus an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering. Drs. Starla and Pete Meighan, both PhD neuroscientists, lead PNB's research in the field of cognitive dysfunction.
Joseph W. Harding, Ph.D. - CEO and Cofounder PNB
Dr. Harding is a Professor in the Departments of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology (VCAPP), Psychology, and Programs in Neuroscience and Biotechnology, at Washington State University. He is an internationally recognized expert on the neurochemistry of angiotensin peptides and their receptors. Dr. Harding was an American Heart Association Distinguished Investigator from 1985-1990, an NIH Fogarty fellow, and he has served on peer review committees for the NIH, NSF, and the American Heart Association. He has published more than 225 scientific articles and chapters on brain angiotensin and neurogenesis, and he reviews submitted manuscripts for 40+ scientific journals concerned with topics in the neurosciences, neurochemistry and biotechnology. Dr. Harding received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Delaware in 1974 and completed his postdoctoral work in neurochemistry at the Roche Institute for Molecular Biology in Nutley, N.J. from 1974-76. He moved to WSU in 1976 and was promoted to Full Professor in 1985.
John (Jay) W. Wright, Ph.D. - Vice President and Cofounder PNB
Dr. Wright is a Professor in the Departments of Psychology, VCAPP and Programs in Neuroscience and Biotechnology, at Washington State University, and served as Chair of Psychology from 1994-2000. He is an internationally recognized expert on the physiology and behavior of angiotensin peptides and neural plasticity, and specializes in the preparation of animal models for human disease states related to cognitive, fibrotic and cardiovascular dysfunctions. He has published more than 190 scientific articles and chapters, and reviews submitted manuscripts for 35+ scientific journals concerned with topics in neurosciences, peptide physiology and behavior, and biotechnology. Dr. Wright participates in peer review committees for the NSF and the American Heart Association. Dr. Wright received his Ph.D. in neuroscience from Michigan State University in 1971 and completed postdoctoral work from 1971-72 in biophysics at the University of Michigan. Following a position at Fordham University, Bronx, NY he moved to WSU in 1975 and was promoted to full professor in 1983.
PNB's Board of Directors also includes:
Joseph W. Harding, Ph.D. - CEO and Cofounder PNB
Dr. Harding is a Professor in the Departments of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology (VCAPP), Psychology, and Programs in Neuroscience and Biotechnology, at Washington State University. He is an internationally recognized expert on the neurochemistry of angiotensin peptides and their receptors. Dr. Harding was an American Heart Association Distinguished Investigator from 1985-1990, an NIH Fogarty fellow, and he has served on peer review committees for the NIH, NSF, and the American Heart Association. He has published more than 225 scientific articles and chapters on brain angiotensin and neurogenesis, and he reviews submitted manuscripts for 40+ scientific journals concerned with topics in the neurosciences, neurochemistry and biotechnology. Dr. Harding received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Delaware in 1974 and completed his postdoctoral work in neurochemistry at the Roche Institute for Molecular Biology in Nutley, N.J. from 1974-76. He moved to WSU in 1976 and was promoted to Full Professor in 1985.
John (Jay) W. Wright, Ph.D. - Vice President and Cofounder PNB
Dr. Wright is a Professor in the Departments of Psychology, VCAPP and Programs in Neuroscience and Biotechnology, at Washington State University, and served as Chair of Psychology from 1994-2000. He is an internationally recognized expert on the physiology and behavior of angiotensin peptides and neural plasticity, and specializes in the preparation of animal models for human disease states related to cognitive, fibrotic and cardiovascular dysfunctions. He has published more than 190 scientific articles and chapters, and reviews submitted manuscripts for 35+ scientific journals concerned with topics in neurosciences, peptide physiology and behavior, and biotechnology. Dr. Wright participates in peer review committees for the NSF and the American Heart Association. Dr. Wright received his Ph.D. in neuroscience from Michigan State University in 1971 and completed postdoctoral work from 1971-72 in biophysics at the University of Michigan. Following a position at Fordham University, Bronx, NY he moved to WSU in 1975 and was promoted to full professor in 1983.
PNB's Board of Directors also includes:
- John W. Pariseau, General Manager of WIN Partners, LLC, a Spokane angel-investment fund;
- Clifford J. Stocks, former Executive Officer and Vice President, Business Development, ICOS Corporation;
- Timothy J. Gregory, Ph.D., former Staff Scientist and Senior Director, Process Development, Genentech, Inc.;
- Daniel T. Reiner is a successful entrepreneur in a number of endeavors including technology start-ups, and real estate.
