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news.EMD Serono, a subsidiary of Merck, has entered into a research agreement with Pfizer and the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, focused on the genomic profiling of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Lupus Nephritis (LN) patients.
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The research collaboration will be jointly funded by EMD Serono and Pfizer.
SLE is a systemic autoimmune disease that can lead to LN, a kidney disorder that is a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus.
The company said that in SLE patients, apart from kidney, other tissues and organs can be affected, including skin, the nervous system, or joints.
Under the deal, the Broad Institute will investigate clinical samples secured from SLE and LN patients, applying biochemical and next-generation sequencing technologies as well as analyze immune cell subpopulations.
Main aim of the project is to identify biomarkers to better define target patient populations for future therapies.
In addition, via computational modeling approaches, the project aims to identify key molecular drivers of SLE and LN kidney flares, and thereby to discover potential new drug targets as the basis for novel therapies.
The deal will see the sponsoring members, EMD Serono and Pfizer, receive real-time access to all data and analysis.
Additionally, the two companies will have the ability to send a research scientist to the Broad Institute to foster exchange of technology expertise in the area of computational and experimental genomic profiling.
EMD Serono head of the Translational Innovation Platform Immunology & Neurodegenerative Diseases Harsukh Parmar said the research group of Prof. Nir Hacohen from the Broad Institute is a pioneer in the field of systems immunology and has developed a unique strategy to dissect Lupus and Lupus Nephritis.
"Combined with the Broad Institute’s technical know-how, we see this collaboration aiming for a significant contribution to potential future innovative treatments of Lupus and Lupus Nephritis," Parmar said.
"This is in line with our concept to integrate genomic profiling and system biology approaches throughout our preclinical and clinical programs."
Image: Micrograph of diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis showing increased mesangial matrix and mesangial hypercellularity. Photo courtesy of Nephron