Date: 2014-08-04
Type of information: Collaboration agreement
Compound: drug screening assays using stem cell-derived astrocytes
Company: Merck Serono (Germany) Kadimastem (Israel)
Therapeutic area: Neurodegenerative diseases
Type agreement: collaboration agreement
Action mechanism:
Disease: multiple sclerosis, other neurodegenerative diseases
Details: * On August 4, 2014, Kadimastem announced that it has signed a collaboration agreement with Merck KGaA to carry out drug screening in the neurodegenerative diseases space for multiple sclerosis (MS), and potential other neurodegenerative diseases. Kadimastem will utilize its unique platform for Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, for the screening of new compounds as potential new therapeutics. Kadimastem has developed a technology to differentiate stem cells into oligodendrocytes, cells required in the brain to produce myelin. In MS, oligodendrocytes are destroyed by the immune system. Kadimastem is also equipped to generate stem cell-derived astrocytes. Astrocytes are neural supporting cells shown to be involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Within the collaboration, Kadimastem will screen compounds in proprietary assays based on these myelin-producing cells and differentiated nerve supporting cells, with the aim of identifying compounds with potential efficacy in MS, and potential effect in other neurodegenerative diseases.
The collaboration agreement follows a previous agreement between both companies from 2012, and the signature of a memorandum of understanding in 2013 aimed at utilizing Kadimastem’s screening platform to characterize new compounds that may lead to next generation neurodegenerative disease therapeutics.
Financial terms: Upon signing of the agreement, Merck will pay Kadimastem an initial fee, and additional payments which are contingent on the achievement of certain milestones. Further financial details are not disclosed.
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