MedGenesis Enters Into Agreement with Pfizer Inc. for Potential Treatments for Parkinson's Disease

MedGenesis Therapeutix Inc. ("MedGenesis"), a privately held biotechnology company focused on the development and precision delivery of definitive treatments for neurologic diseases, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Pfizer Inc. ("Pfizer"), granting Pfizer an exclusive, worldwide option to license its glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protein and convection enhanced delivery (CED) technology to be used in research for potential treatments for Parkinson's disease.

Dr. Erich Mohr, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of MedGenesis commented, "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."

MedGenesis is currently running a proof of concept study in Parkinson's disease with its aforementioned GDNF and CED technology. Under the terms of the agreement MedGenesis will receive an upfront option fee and upon exercise of the option by Pfizer will be eligible for further milestone and royalty payments.


http://www.marketwatch.com/story/med...k=MW_news_stmp

http://www.pharmatimes.com/Article/1...rkinson_s.aspx

wonder how much $$ pfizer is committing?

Deals like this often don't disclose the terms (as is the case in this particular agreement). We are very excited as this is an example of a de-risking success -- meaning that strategic support over the last several years from MJFF (along with Cure Parkinson's Trust and Parkinson's UK) has advanced this program sufficiently to secure critical funds from a development partner.

There have been several other successes in the last weeks ... just what we are going for! Great news for the PD drug development pipeline.

Debi

I am crossing my fingers AND toes that this is av return of the good results we saw years ago.

Finally, someone is paying attention! God bless us all!
Peggy

It is interesting the UK clinical trial provides a delivery system with multiple infusions of the GDNF Protein, and the US method delivers the GDNF gene in a one time surgery.

I hope they are both successful , but it will be interesting to see which one is more effective. I can see pros and cons as a pwp -- for the uk delivery system you live with ports in your head and once established, i believe they plan for a once a month infusion of the GDNF a protein. The US method involves a one time brain surgery delivering GDNF genes via AAV. What if the Gdnf genes stop multiplying at some point?

Of course I am assuming both will work. We will know with time.

Jean
Human participant #3 in the NIH GDNF GENE therapy trial, surgery date March7, 2014

Jean, I noticed you had your surgery over six months ago, can you tell us how are you feeling/whether you are seeing any improvement?

Unfortunately, I think it would be irresponsible for me to provide details (as much as I would like to). But I will say I am feeling just fine, and I have had no ill effects other than endless plane rides from Arizona to Maryland and return.

I think the Pfiser news is exciting!

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%...l.pone.0062040

was researching something else this morning and this popped up.

jeanb, just curious, do you know if they are still recruiting? NIH site says they are.
thanks for volunteering!
http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01621581

Looking for 24 people total : 4 groups of 6. Four cohorts. First cohort will be done on sept 29, 2014. That is the first 6 people in the trial will have had surgery for,the trial. So 18 more needed . I know there are quite a few who have contacted the nurse, but I do not know how many . Canadians are also eligible .

You are followed for 5 years. Many many tests and trips to the NIH . It is a commitment!

Remember phase I trials are for safety and not efficacy. They are also open label--everyone gets the treatment -- no one gets a placebo

Jean