Cytokinetics Announces Updates Relating to Muscle Biology Research and Non-Clinical Development Programs
Smooth muscle contractility is driven by the motor protein smooth muscle myosin. A mechanochemical enzyme, smooth muscle myosin is the cytoskeletal motor that is directly responsible for converting chemical energy into mechanical force. Cytokinetics' smooth muscle contractility program is focused to the discovery and development of small molecule smooth muscle myosin inhibitors and leverages Cytokinetics' expertise in muscle function and its application to drug discovery. This expertise has resulted in the discovery and development of compounds that modulate the function of the two other muscle types, cardiac and skeletal muscle. Inhaled smooth muscle myosin inhibitors have demonstrated pharmacological activity in preclinical models of bronchoconstriction and pulmonary vascular constriction and may have application in diseases such as pulmonary hypertension, asthma and COPD.