[LindaH]

Hatton on licensing: commentary on
MedGenesis Announces GDNF Licenses and Collaboration with Amgen and Biovail

"On January 12, 2010, MedGenesis Therapeutix Inc. announced that it had entered into a collaboration with Biovail Corp. on developing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protein to treat Parkinson's disease. Concurrently, MGT and BLS licensed from Amgen Inc. the rights to GDNF in CNS and non-CNS indications..

MedGenesis and Biovail will initially focus on the development of GDNF for Parkinson's disease, a progressive and debilitating neurological disease affecting close to 5 million patients worldwide......"

See Hatton's blog for full text at
http://www.jameshatton.com/public/20...enses-and.html

James Hatton ia a Canadian lawyer whose practice focusses "on assisting companies to exploit the value of their intellectual property assets, with a special interest in licensing and related transactions." He worked on the MedGenesis/ Amgen deal, and seems to have a special place in his heart for GDNF (or perhaps a loved one with PD?). He writes:

"GDNF has a history (see below). It has worked for some people in the past, but failed in clinical trials. If you watch the two short videos below, you can't help but be moved by seeing Parkinson's patients treated with GDNF put away their canes and walk.

It takes so many people for a new treatment to succeed. My role in this things is to be there at the birth of the collaboration - I don't get to see how the baby grows up. But I am fervently hoping this one develops well.

Congratulations to Amgen for putting GDNF back out there. And godspeed to MGT and BLS in making GDNF a success."

His blog also includes 2 youtube videos -- Tom Isaacs moving interview with Dr. Gill and some of the Bristol patients and an excerpt from the 60 minutes program, including Roger Perlmutter's famous "ther aren't enough neurosurgical suites...." speech.

You can post comments.... surely we have some!

... and the truth shall set us free

[paula_w]

wow- great timing...even as we are writing about it......a champion, that makes a big difference....hmmm...good news?

[Conductor71]

Originally Posted by LindaH

You can post comments.... surely we have some!

... and the truth shall set us free

Best news I've read in a long time! Thannks, Linda for sharing this.

I posted a comment thought I don't feel really "qualified" to do so. I think it is important that although twice shy, we still think that there are people out there who do have the right thing in mind when trying to make money.

Laura

[paula_w]

goofed sorry

[paula_w]

The blog Linda H. speaks of has two videos. the first one is Tom Isaacs interviewing Dr. Steven Gill.

Our own Jaye found the tape of Roger Perlmutter seen in the bottom one on the 60 minutes airing. Mr. Suthers, the man who showed the pumps in his belly fought valiantly but is now deceased .

http://www.jameshatton.com/public/20...enses-and.html

Mr. Hatton is an attorney from Canada who helped handle the deal.