Kinase Inhibitors
Kinases are regulatory proteins that control cell growth, differentiation and survival/death by transmitting biological signals from a cell's exterior environment to its nucleus, where genes that maintain health and genes that cause disease are turned on and off in response to these signals. Inhibitors of kinase, such as c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK), are designed to bind to and block the activity of gene-regulating kinases, thereby inhibiting the ability of kinases to turn on specific genes that cause or contribute to disease. We have a major JNK drug discovery and development program, and we presently hold or own a significant portion of the intellectual property for kinase inhibitors for JNK and other important kinases, with an expanding and comprehensive intellectual property estate including 17 issued or pending patents.