US-based Pfizer has collaborated with Canada-based MedGenesis Therapeutixon on potential treatments for Parkinson’s disease.
Both companies have signed an agreement, with MedGenesis granted licence to Pfizer for its glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protein and convection enhanced delivery (CED) technology, which can be used in research to develop treatments for Parkinson’s disease.
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GDNF is a growth factor that is believed to help a range of brain cells to survive, including those lost in Parkinson’s disease.
As part of the deal, MedGenesis will be provided with an upfront option fee, and is also eligible for further milestone and royalty payments, upon exercise of the option by Pfizer.
MedGenesis CEO and chairman Erich Mohr said: "We believe that delivering drugs, including proteins, precisely to the regions of the brain where they are required will allow the potential for better treatments for a whole range of central nervous system (CNS) disease, and opens up the opportunity for the potential development of truly disease-modifying treatments of neurological diseases."
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At present, MedGenesis is carrying out a proof of concept study in Parkinson’s disease with the GDNF and CED technology.
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By GlobalDataPfizer neuroscience research unit senior vice-president Michael Ehlers said: "With limited treatment options currently available, Parkinson’s disease is a devastating illness for patients and families.
"We believe that this collaboration with MedGenesis has the potential to provide the first disease-modifying treatment that slows the progressive decline in patients, consistent with our commitment to making a difference in areas of high unmet medical need."
The CED technology can also be used to develop treatments for epilepsy, brain cancer and other debilitating diseases of the central nervous system.
MedGenesis develops therapeutic products to treat patients with neurological diseases.
Image: Immunohistochemistry for alpha-synuclein showing positive staining (brown) of an intraneural Lewy-body in the Substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease. Photo: courtesy of Marvin 101.
