Oral Presentation The 44th Lorne Conference on Protein Structure and Function 2019

This lecture will showcase how pursuing an academic career focused on the intricate science of “making molecules” can result in innovation leading to commercialization of molecules that not only reap economic rewards but also transform lives. The lecture will describe research on the synthesis of bioactive natural products and the synthesis of peptides, glycopeptides, and peptide mimetics as a platform for the discovery and development of new therapeutic agents. Professor Brimble’s laboratory discovered the drug candidate NNZ2566 for Neuren Pharmaceuticals (http://www.neurenpharma.com) that was successful in phase 2 clinical trials for Rett Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome. NNZ2566 was named trofinetide by the WHO and has received orphan drug status and fast-track designation by the FDA as the first drug to treat these two indications.  Phase 3 clinical trials of trofinetide for Rett Syndrome will be undertaken in 2019.

Professor Brimble also recently co-founded the spin-out company SapVax with US$6 million investment from BioMotiv in Cleveland, Ohio to develop a suite of “first-in-class cancer vaccines” based on a novel self-adjuvanting peptide chemistry platform for immuno-oncology applications (see: https://sapvaxllc.com). She also established a Medsafe NZ-approved laboratory that has manufactured clinical grade peptide antigens for use as vaccines in human clinical trials to treat melanoma.