Inventors: Tiong Chia Yeo, Julian Cheng Liang Voong, Nyuk Fong Kon, Noreha Mahidi, Mohd Farith Kota, Nuraqilah Othman, Michele Mejin, Mohd Farhan Darin Azri, Mitchel Constance George
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s cause the gradual and crippling deterioration of the central and peripheral nervous system. These conditions are linked to the enzyme Prolyl Oligopeptidase (POP), which regulates memory, mood, and learning. POP influence on other proteins like neuronal peptides and hormones, and interaction with alpha-synuclein—a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease—makes its inhibition a potential therapeutic strategy.
SBC has discovered the neuroprotective properties of a fungi-derived compound using POP inhibition assays. The methanolic crude extract of Fusarium sp. (F274), isolated from the yam plant (𝑨𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒂 𝒔𝒑.), demonstrated significant POP inhibition at 87% ± 2%. Through bioassay-guided fractionation, we isolated FGS03, a pure compound that achieved 100% ± 1% inhibition, comparable to the potent inhibitor Z-Pro-prolinal. Further evaluation confirmed FGS03’s strong activity against human POP enzymes, maintaining 80% inhibition at just 0.04 mg/ml.
This innovation is now protected under multiple patents across Malaysia (No. MY-208099-A), US (No. 18/259,761), EU (No. 21915916.7), China (No. 202180092716.7), Japan (No. 2023-563793) and PCT International (No. PCT/MY2021/050126).
With the global neurodegenerative disease market projected to reach USD 47.9 billion by 2028, FGS03 is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment and management of millions of neurodegenerative diseases sufferers worldwide.
Interested in knowing more or exploring collaboration opportunities? Contact Julian Voong via email
