Basket 01 — Polysaccharide & Pentosan
"Specialty polysaccharide chemistry, built for the niche that needs it most."
3–8%
Women globally affected by IC/BPS
5–7 yr
Average delay to IC/BPS diagnosis
India
Oral PPS formulation — manufactured domestically by Polysacc
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (PPS) is a semi-synthetic polysaccharide — a heparin-like sulphated xylan derived from beechwood hemicellulose. It is the only oral small-molecule therapy FDA-approved for Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome, a debilitating chronic condition affecting an estimated 3–8% of women globally and significantly underdiagnosed across emerging markets.
Its mechanism is structurally elegant: PPS replenishes and stabilises the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer of the bladder urothelium — the mucosal defence barrier whose breakdown is central to IC/BPS pathophysiology. Unlike symptom management approaches, PPS addresses the underlying defect.
Polysacc manufactures oral PPS in India — removing the supply chain, cost, and regulatory barriers that previously made this therapy inaccessible to Indian and emerging-market patients. The specialty polysaccharide chemistry required to produce pharmaceutical-grade PPS represents a genuine technical capability and commercial moat.
Basket Products
Target Biology
Heparanase
Endo-glucuronidase · ECM remodelling · Heparan sulfate cleavage
API
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
Semi-synthetic sulphated xylan · FDA-approved · Schedule H
Pitch
For bladder health, interstitial cystitis, bladder pain syndrome, and specialty polysaccharide positioning — a defined clinical niche with very limited global competition.
Therapeutic Indications
Bladder Pain — IC/BPS
Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome — first-line oral therapy; replenishes the GAG protective layer of the urothelium
Osteoarthritis (OA)
PPS modulates cartilage metabolism and inhibits enzymes implicated in articular cartilage degradation, with evidence for pain and functional improvement
Hyperlipidaemia (HL)
Heparin-like sulphation confers lipid-lowering activity; inhibits lipoprotein lipase and reduces LDL uptake in vascular endothelium
Diabetic Nephropathy (DN)
Restores glomerular basement membrane heparan sulphate proteoglycans; reduces proteinuria and slows nephropathy progression in preclinical and early clinical evidence
Target Biology
Heparanase
Heparanase is the only mammalian endo-glucuronidase capable of cleaving heparan sulfate side chains of proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix (ECM). It is an essential enzyme involved in tissue remodeling, cell migration, and regulating the structure of the cell surface and basement membrane.
Upregulation of heparanase leads to the degradation of the protective endothelial glycocalyx and mucosal linings. This breakdown disrupts the barrier integrity of tissues and blood vessels, promoting inflammatory cell infiltration and driving pathologies in chronic inflammatory diseases and vascular disorders.
Enzymatic Activity
Cleaves heparan sulfate side chains of proteoglycans, leading to disassembly of the extracellular matrix and release of matrix-bound active molecules.
Pathological Role
Degrades the endothelial glycocalyx and mucosal linings. Uncontrolled activity impairs organ barrier function and propagates inflammatory responses.
Structure: Cholestanol-conjugated sulfated oligosaccharide
Target Biology
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (PPS) is a semi-synthetic sulphated xylan — a heparin-like polysaccharide derived from beechwood hemicellulose. Its backbone consists of repeating β-1,4-linked xylose units with 4-O-methyl-glucuronic acid branches, carrying sulphate groups at the 2- and 3-positions that confer its biological activity.
PPS exerts its therapeutic effect by replenishing and stabilising the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer of the bladder urothelium — the mucosal defence barrier whose disruption is central to IC/BPS pathophysiology. Its heparin-like sulphation also underpins activity in osteoarthritis, hyperlipidaemia, and diabetic nephropathy.
Mechanism of Action
Adheres to the urothelial surface, restoring the GAG protective layer and preventing irritants from contacting the bladder wall.
Structural Basis
β-1,4-xylan backbone with MGA branches; sulphate groups at C-2 and C-3 mimic heparan sulphate and confer GAG-layer affinity.