GSK Headquarters” height=”155″ src=”https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/static-progressive/GSKhq.jpg” style=”padding: 10px” width=”300″ />
UK-based pharmaceutical major GlaxoSmithKline has announced a partnership with Canadian pharmaceutical firm Angiochem for the discovery, development and commercialisation of lysosomal storage disease (LSD) treatments.
Under the collaboration, Angiochem will be responsible for the creation of new compounds capable of restoring function in the central nervous system. The company will initially create an enzyme replacement therapy for specific LSD, with GSK gaining the rights to develop and sell the compound.
Compounds in current use, such as those developed by Genzyme and Shire, are unable to restore enzyme function in the central nervous system, and both GSK and Angiochem hope to bridge that gap.
Administration of Angiochem-developed drug candidates is anticipated to result in brain penetration and systemic distribution, succeeding where others have failed in addressing the central nervous system whilst treating peripheral symptoms of LSDs.
As per the terms of the agreement, Angiochem will receive an upfront payment of $31.5m, with the company eligible to receive in excess of $300m depending on GSK’s access to LSD targets.
Angiochem is also eligible to receive royalties on future sales of compounds, named EPiC-enzymes, that arise from the collaboration.
Image: GlaxoSmithKline’s headquarters, located in Brentford, UK. Credit: GlaxoSmithKline
