Date: 2012-06-08
Type of information: R&D agreement
Compound: new treatments for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB)
Company: GSK (UK) University of Dundee (UK)
Therapeutic area: Rare diseases - Genetic diseases - Dermatological diseases
Type agreement: R&D
development
Action mechanism:
Disease: recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB)
Details: GSK and the University of Dundee have entered into an agreement to combine the pharmaceutical company’s expertise in discovering and developing new medicines with the researcher’s expertise in rare and debilitating skin disorders under GSK’s Discovery Partnerships with Academia initiative. The aim of the collaboration with Irwin McLean, Professor of Human Genetics and Head of Molecular Medicine at Dundee, is to develop new treatments for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB), a rare condition where the skin and other surfaces of the body can develop deep blisters with even mild pressure. Professor McLean is an authority in inherited diseases of the skin, including in RDEB and filaggrin deficiency-associated diseases including eczema. His research with the Drug Discovery Unit at Dundee has already demonstrated that the underlying biological process causing these diseases can be modified by compounds, opening up the possibility of new treatments for patients.
This new alliance model from GSK focuses on making a medicine, rather than supporting basic research, allowing the drug discovery capabilities of GSK to be applied to academic research at an early stage. The success of the project is dependent on contributions from both parties, with GSK undertaking screening, medicinal chemistry, preclinical work and clinical development, and Professor McLean’s team, in conjunction with the Drug Discovery Unit, characterising arising compounds in a range of specialised biological assays to facilitate translation into the clinic.
This alliance is part of GSK’s Discovery Partnerships with Academia (DPAc) initiative, designed to bring together the complementary skill sets of GSK and individual academic groups in the search for new medicines.
Financial terms: Under the terms of the agreement, the University will receive financial support from GSK linked to reaching agreed milestones, as well as an undisclosed upfront payment and royalties on sales from any product that is successfully commercialised out of the collaboration.
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