Date: 2015-11-10
Type of information: R&D agreement
Compound: biosensor chips
Company: Pierre Fabre (France) EPFL (Switzerland)
Therapeutic area: CNS diseases - Mental diseases
Type agreement: collaboration R&D
Action mechanism:
Disease: schizophrenia
Details: * On November 10, 2015, Pierre Fabre Médicament (PFM) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) have agreed to a scientific collaboration on the use of biosensor chips developed by the EPFL in clinical studies conducted by PFM. The biosensor chips developed by the EFPL’s scientists are able to assess the homeostasis of individuals (pH, temperature, blood glucose level, etc.) and measure more accurately than traditional methods the concentration in the body of an active agent coming from an administered drug. Biosensors chips can therefore have many applications over the development of a new molecule: • In the early stage of a molecule’s development, biosensors chips will allow scientists to find out faster whether or not it might be interesting to continue the study, which will increase the chances of success of the project down the road. • In the clinical development stage, the precise measurement of the concentration of active agents administered will make it possible to analyze, almost in real time, the therapeutic effect and tolerability of the drug. • Once a drug is marketed, this new technology could also make it easier to monitor treatment progress and adherence for specific diseases, expensive treatments or drugs with low therapeutic range. The collaboration between the EPFL and Pierre Fabre Medicament’s R&D teams began with a feasibility study on the use of biosensor chips in the development of a molecule, currently in proof-of-concept clinical trials (Phase II) for the treatment of schizophrenia (F17464). F17464 is a drug candidate developed by Pierre Fabre Médicament. This compound with D3 antagonist, 5-HT1A partial agonist properties is currently under development in the treatment of schizophrenia. The ongoing clinical trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of F17464 compared to placebo in patients suffering from acute phase of schizophrenia. This multinational trial will be conducted over a six-week period on 142 patients in several European countries. The main results of the study are expected to be published in the 2nd quarter of 2016.
Financial terms:
Latest news:
