Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) today announced the formation of a global scientific research collaboration to create a comprehensive understanding into neuroprotective therapeutic approaches in Huntington disease (HD). The focus of the program is the interaction between Laquinimod, a neuroprotective agent currently being investigated in multiple sclerosis, and various molecular pathways operative in Huntington disease.
The collaboration brings together the leading scientific researchers in the field from Singapore, UK, Canada, Germany, US and Israel in a coordinated and intense research program developed in Israel by Teva president of global R&D and chief scientific officer Dr. Michael Hayden, one of the foremost experts on Huntington disease.
Huntington disease stems from genetically-programmed degeneration of brain cells in selected areas of the brain. This degeneration results in uncontrolled movements, loss of intellectual faculties, and personality and emotional disturbances. Current therapy for HD consists of symptom management. There are no treatment options that control, stop or reverse the progression of the disease, Teva observes.
This innovative research approach, Teva adds, aims to examine the potential to protect neurons against the neuronal degeneration characteristic of HD through multiple pathways such as; immune dysfunction in the periphery, inflammation in astrocytes and microglia, astrocyte activation in the brain and other important pathways.
Dr. Hayden said, "HD is a neurodegenerative condition that places an immense burden on the individual, their family and the community. This program is an important collaboration that will provide vital insights into potential new treatment paradigms in Huntington disease."
The collaboration consists of leading Huntington disease research centers and others, purposely selected for their expertise in specific pathways relevant to HD. They include: Prof. Sarah Tabrizi, Professor of Clinical Neurology, University College London (UCL), Institute of Neurology; Dr. Mahmoud A. Pouladi, Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Biomedical Science Institutes (BMSI); Prof. Ralf Gold, Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital/Ruhr University Bochum, Germany; Dr. Blair Leavitt, Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Colombia; Prof. Gareth John, Associate Professor Neurology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; and Prof. Daniel Offen , Director, the Neuroscience Laboratory at Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 29, 2013
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