We continue our series of posts in the Biologics campaign – now it is about Adaptor Associated Kinase 1.
Adaptor protein 2-associated kinase 1 (AAK1), also known as AP2-associated kinase 1, is a serine/threonine kinase and is a member of the family of Numb-associated kinases (NAKs). AAK1 has been proposed as being a promising drug target for the treatment of a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease. It was also shown to be an essential cellular factor for viral replication and has been pursued as a host target for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral agents.
You can find more details about recent research here!
A phenotypic screen of mouse gene knockouts led to the discovery that AAK1 is a potential therapeutic target for neuropathic pain. The synthesis and SAR-optimization of a series of aryl amide-based AAK1 inhibitors led to the identification of a drug candidate that completed phase I trials with good human pharmacokinetics and minimum adverse events. Now it is in phase II clinical trials for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and postherpetic neuralgia. More information about this research is here.
