| The University of Cambridge, one of the world's leading centres for biomedical research, and Beaufour Ipsen Group, a European-based global pharmaceutical company, have joined forces to develop and commercialise chemokine inhibitory compounds. Dr David J Grainger, a Royal Society Fellow at the University of Cambridge, has identified a family of peptides and small molecules that exhibit the ability to inhibit migration of inflammatory cells. While the majority of reported chemokine inhibitors are specific for one or a selected group of chemokines, the compounds identified by Dr Grainger exhibit broad chemokine inhibitory activity. These compounds have demonstrated efficacy in a variety of animal models, including those for atherosclerosis, asthma, stroke, endotoxaemia and dermal inflammation. |    |
Under the terms of the agreement negotiated by the University's Technology Transfer Office, Beaufour Ipsen will fund research in Dr Grainger's laboratory, located in the Department of Medicine, Clinical School of Medicine at the University of Cambridge, and make additional payments related to commercialisation of products resulting from Dr Grainger's research.
The University of Cambridge will provide Beaufour Ipsen with exclusive worldwide rights to develop and market the chemokine inhibitory compounds discovered by Dr Grainger. Beaufour Ipsen will manage all phases of product development, including clinical trials and regulatory submissions. Further details of the agreement were not disclosed by either party.
"We are delighted to be working with Dr Grainger to develop his chemokine inhibitory compounds, which will further expand Beaufour Ipsen's strong commitment to the development of peptide-based pharmaceuticals," said Dr Jacques-Pierre Moreau, Beaufour Ipsen Group Vice President Research and Development.
"Dr Grainger is a remarkable young investigator, and his chemokine inhibitory compounds show great promise in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, as evidenced by Dr Grainger's numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals. We are particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of employing these compounds in the area of pulmonary fibrosis, and are involved in animal model studies of pulmonary fibrotic syndromes."
"This agreement illustrates the University's commitment to the formation of commercial partnerships which translate our laboratory discoveries into drugs capable of treating previously incurable conditions," said David Secher, Director of Research Services at the University of Cambridge.
Notes for editors
Chemokines are small proteins that regulate the immune system, particularly chemotaxis (cell migration due to a chemical gradient). To date, four families of chemokines have been identified, consisting of over 50 proteins that bind to one or more of the 13 known chemokine receptors. Recent studies have demonstrated a role for chemokines in the pathogenesis of several inflammation-associated diseases, including asthma and atherosclerosis.
The Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, comprises some 12 divisions: from anaesthesia and endocrinology to rheumatology. All divisions are involved in research related to human disease, with the broad aim of understanding disease processes at the molecular and physiological level and applying this knowledge to clinical management.
The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) facilitates the commercial development of University intellectual property — and that arising from projects undertaken within the Cambridge-MIT Institute. Specialist technology transfer staff manage all aspects of patents, copyright and contractual arrangements. Income from patents and software exceeds £1 million a year and is growing. The TTO licenses patents and other intellectual property to existing companies, both large and small, as well as to spinouts formed to exploit University and CMI technology. Working together with venture capital funds, the TTO forms around five new companies each year. The University holds equity in over thirty such companies (see www.rsd.cam.ac.uk/tto).
Present in over 80 countries with a total staff of 3440, the Beaufour Ipsen Group had a turnover of more than €700 million in 2001, 58% of which was outside France. The Company specialises in endocrinology, oncology, neurology, haematology, cardiology and gastroenterology and has a portfolio of 30 products which are either peptides, derived from biotechnology, or based on natural sources. Approximately 16.5% of Beaufour Ipsen’s turnover is reinvested in research and development (see www.beaufour-ipsen.com).
Research is focused on four major areas (biologics, peptides, small molecule therapeutics and drug delivery systems) and is carried out from three research centres (Boston, Barcelona, Paris) by an international network of around 500 scientific staff. They are involved in discovering innovative therapeutic responses for the most refractory diseases and to in creating original molecules. Beaufour Ipsen currently has a pipeline of 16 projects in development. The Group has also set up research partnerships with prestigious universities in the USA and Europe, mainly in France and in the United Kingdom.
Except for the historical information presented, certain matters discussed in this press release relating to the development of our products and the results of our collaboration with Beaufour Ipsen are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the time the statements are made. They are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release.
Source: Ipsen
