MedGenesis, Pfizer partner on Parkinson’s disease treatments

Under the terms of agreement, Pfizer will gain an exclusive, worldwide option to license and use MedGenesis’ glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protein and convection enhanced delivery (CED) technology in research for potential Parkinson’s disease treatments.

MedGenesis chief executive officer and chairman Dr Erich Mohr said: "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.

"We are delighted to be collaborating with Pfizer to complete our GDNF program, and we hope that this collaboration will result in potential treatments for people living with Parkinson’s that could radically alter the course of their disease."

Pfizer Neuroscience Research Unit senior vice-president Michael Ehlers said: "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, consistent with our commitment to making a difference in areas of high unmet medical need."

MedGenesis would receive an upfront option fee, while Pfizer will become eligible for further milestone and royalty payments, upon exercise of the option.

MedGenesis is currently running a proof of concept study in Parkinson’s disease with its aforementioned GDNF and CED technology.

Image: Pfizer signed an agreement with MedGenesis for potential treatments for Parkinson’s disease. Photo: Neruru.