Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK Inhibitors

The present Competitive Intelligence Report about Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK Inhibitors provides a competitor evaluation in the field of synthetic and biologic molecules targeting Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway for treatment of cancer as of May 2009.

The mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are conserved proteins that regulate cell growth, division and death. Although activated in the cytosol, the MAPKs translocate to the nucleus upon activation and phosphorylate a large number of nuclear proteins. Investigating how Ras transmits extracellular growth signals, the MAPK pathway has emerged as the crucial route between membrane-bound Ras and the nucleus. The MAPK pathway represents a cascade of phosphorylation events including three pivotal kinases, namely Raf, MEK (MAP kinase kinase), and ERK (MAP kinase).

These kinases present new opportunities for the development of novel anti-cancer drugs designed to be target-specific and probably less toxic than conventional chemotherapeutic agents. A number of drugs inhibiting Ras, Raf or MEK are currently under clinical investigation and many more next generation molecules in preclinical R&D.
The report includes a compilation of current active projects in research and development of synthetic and biologic molecules targeting the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway. In addition, the report lists company-specific R&D pipelines of Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK targeting molecules. Competitor projects are listed in a tabular format providing information on:

• Drug Codes,
• Target / Mechanism of Action,
• Class of Compound,
• Company,
• Product Category,
• Indication,
• R&D Stage and
• additional comments with a hyperlink leading to the source of information.