Linda J. Peters

Sequoia Pharmaceuticals discovers and develops unique treatments for viral diseases including HIV/AIDS and HCV-induced hepatitis with a focus on the growing global problem of drug-resistant disease. Most new anti-viral drugs were designed to block the most prevalent form of a pathogen, but these drugs become less potent due to the emergence of drug-resistant mutations. Sequoia's is to discover and develop new antiviral which are active against the most prevalent form of the virus but also anticipates the emergence of drug resistance forms thereby maintaining potency over time. Sequoia's differentiating approach is to identify a constellation of atomic interaction points which are necessary and sufficient for enzymatic function. Sequoia's protease inhibitors have been designed to interact preferentially with only these atoms, thus allowing non-critical mutations to occur without resulting in a decrease in drug potency. The foundation of Sequoia's novel Resistant-Repellent™ technology is a drug discovery tool that enhances the efficiency with which drugs are designed. It is based on an understanding of the chemical and physical nature of the molecular targets, the enzymes and receptors to which drugs bind, combined with an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that cause drug resistance. Sequoia is also discovering and developing a unique series of pharmacokinetic enhancers (PKEs) to work in combination with its own, and its partners', antiviral therapies. These sets of molecules improve the PK of existing therapeutics and reduce interpatient variability. This represents a unique approach to an important need in HIV treatment today. Sequoia is also looking to extend this novel PKE approach to other areas. Its PKEs are designed to inhibit a particular CYP isozyme and therefore change the metabolism of a co-administered therapeutic agent. The combination of PK Enhancer and the therapeutic agent enables reduced dosage and less frequent administration of the therapeutic agent.

MedImmune LLC develops medicines for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases such as cancer and immune system disorders. It offers solutions in the areas of monoclonal antibodies and vaccines for infection, oncology, respiratory disease and inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and neuroscience. The company was founded by Wayne T. Hockmeyer in 1988 and is headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD.