Ester Neurosciences Ltd.
Discovery and development of novel therapeutic products for the treatment of neurological disorders such as myasthenia gravis, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and acute stress reactions.
Ester Neurosciences Ltd. was established in 1997 by Medica Venture Partners with the aim of commercialising breakthrough discoveries pioneered by Professor Hermona Soreq of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Ester has licensed exclusive, worldwide rights to all IP produced at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem by Hermona Soreq. The company has 20 patents granted and over 25 patents pending.
Eli Hazum, Ph.D., Prof., CEO
Irene Zeitoun, Ph.D., MBA, Director of R&D
Solli Brawer, Director of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs
Hermona Soreq, Prof., Chief Scientific Advisor
Dr. Ehud Geller, Chairman
Hermona Soreq, Prof.
Ackerstein Towers, Bldg. B. 10th Flr.
11 Hamanofim St.
Herzlia Pituach 46725
Israel
Phone: +972-9-960-1919
Fax: +972-9-954-2266
Ester’s core technology focuses on achieving a balanced economy of cholinergic transmission via controlled modulation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The company’s lead product is Monarsen (formerly known as EN101) for the treatment of Myasthenia gravis and other peripheral disorders. Monarsen is an antisense product which inhibits AChE production. The drug has been tested in pre-clinical animal studies and has been shown to have an exceptionally long duration of efficacy. The company has been granted Orphan Drug Status Monarsen for the treatment of MG, by the FDA on November 2003, and by the European Regulatory Authority (EMEA) on April 2004. Ester will also target Monarsen for other PNS disorders, including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.
Phase Ib trial was successfully completed in patients from UK and Israel. Currently a Phase IIa study is underway, which started in Mid August 2004, at Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, with 18 MG patients.
The following section contains a selection of the company’s most relevant patents. For comprehensive patent information please refer to the espacenet databases.