Advances in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research Program
Medivir and one of China's largest pharmaceutical companies, Jiangsu Hengrui medicine Company (Shanghai), instigated a two year research collaboration in December 2003 to develop protease inhibitors against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pivotal advances have been made and important milestones achieved in the project. Medivir and Hengrui have therefore elected to extend their research collaboration for developing drugs against COPD.
The project is based on Medivir's COPD protease inhibitor program, screening systems and enabling technologies, combined with Hengrui's acknowledged expertise in medicinal chemistry. Efficacy studies in specific preclinical test models will now be undertaken with drug-like compounds developed within the collaboration. Presuming that the coming efficacy data from these test models is positive, the next stage of the project will be entry into the preclinical lead optimization phase with the aim of selecting one or more candidate drugs (CDs).
The agreement provides that pharmaceuticals resulting from the partnership are commercialized in China by Hengrui, and in the rest of the world by Medivir. There are a number of lead compounds amenable to further development, which allows for different strategies in the various markets.
COPD is a group of syndromes characterized by constriction of the airways, the accumulation of mucous and inflammation, leading to breathing difficulties. The disease arises primarily amongst smokers. COPD includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and in certain cases asthma. COPD is currently the fourth most common cause of death in the USA. In China, respiratory disorders are the fourth most common cause of death in the cities and the most common source of fatality in rural areas. There are currently no satisfactory treatments for COPD.
Other news from the department business & finance
