Nascent drug maker Cytochroma, of Markham, Ontario, which focuses on identifying small molecules that target cytochrome P450 gene mutations, said it has uncovered a gene that metabolizes 9-cis retinoic acid.
The gene, CYP26C, is generally understood to be the third member of the CYP450 gene family, which metabolize all-trans retinoic acid. The other two genes, CYP26A and CYP26B, do not do this.
So far, Cytochroma CSO Martin Petkovich has published a study showing that CYP26A is expressed in murine embryonic hindbrain, inner ear, and tooth buds.
The company said it is currently looking for partners to develop the discovery.