Pfizer, MedGenesis' Team Up To Explore Potential Parkinson's Treatments
Biotech firm MedGenesis Therapeutix announced that it has agreed to grant Pfizer an exclusive, global option to license its glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protein and convection enhanced delivery (CED) technology for research as treatment for Parkinson's disease.
Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor protein is a naturally occurring growth factor able to protect and promote survival of dopamine producing nerve cells, the breakdown of which is characteristic of Parkinson’s. The protein is being studied as a potential disease-modifying therapy for the neurological disease, which affects over 5 million people around the world. The company has raised funds and received grants as well for the clinical development of GDNF.
Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer will pay an upfront fee to MedGenesis upon its exercise of the licensing option. The company will also be eligible to receive further milestone and royalty payments. No further financial terms of the agreement were disclosed by either company.
“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,” said Dr. Erich Mohr, CEO and Chairman of MedGenesis. Dr Mohr added that the company is pleased to advance its GDNF program to completion in partnership with Pfizer.
“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,” said Michael Ehlers, SVP of Neuroscience Research Unit at Pfizer.
Current treatments address the early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease but tend to lose efficacy over time and even contribute to a complication known as dyskinesia, a condition marked by sudden, involuntary tremors. Should the partnership prove successful in bringing GDNF to the market, it would be considered a breakthrough therapy in treating Parkinson’s.