Wahl and his colleagues have identified a chromosome docking site for DMs. Wahl and NewBiotics are collaborating to further define this docking site and develop drugs that block the interaction of the DM with the chromosome. NewBiotics has identified the DM chromosome as a novel target for cancer chemotherapy and the anti-DM therapy a unique method to assist in the identification of malignant cells. The company's initial anti-DM drug development will target lung cancer. Approximately 80 percent of lung cancers are characterized as having DM structures.
DMs can occur in more than half of all cancers.
NewBiotics therefore believes that an effective anti-DM drug will have tremendous commercial potential.