AstraZeneca enters autoimmune diseases pact with Orca
pharmafile | February 25, 2015 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | AstraZeneca, autoimmune, orca, orphan nuclear receptor gamma inhibitors, psoriasis, retinoic
AstraZeneca has signed a three-year research deal with the UK-based biotech firm Orca to develop treatments for autoimmune diseases.
The companies will collaborate to produce retinoic acid-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma (RORγ) inhibitors. RORγ – proteins found in the lungs, liver and kidneys – play a key role in the immune system.
Under the terms of the agreement Orca will receive an upfront cost plus milestone payments of up to $122.5 million. AZ will gain access to inhibitors and integrate them into its in-house programme.
“We are delighted that AstraZeneca has recognised the potential of the Orca programme in a space where the identification of inhibitors with drug-like properties has proven challenging,” comments Dr Michael Hunter, who is the chief executive and co-founder of Orca.
“To have the backing and experience of AstraZeneca makes this programme even more competitive as we move forward to deliver best-in-class medicines in this area.”
Working together, scientists from both pharma firms will identify lead compounds from the programme for progression and characterise the autoimmune condition to which the lead compounds are best suited.
Dr Maarten Kraan who is the head of the respiratory, inflammation and autoimmune diseases innovative medicines unit at AZ, says: “We are delighted to be partnering with Orca Pharmaceuticals in this hot area of immunology science to help us create potentially best-in-class chemical assets and candidate drugs for patients who currently do not have any oral medicines available to treat their chronic conditions.”
There are more than 80 types of autoimmune disorders, and they occur when the body’s immune system attacks and destroy healthy body tissue by mistake.
Psoriasis is one such type that affects more than 125 million people worldwide and is characterised by raised, red patches covered with a silvery white build-up of dead skin cells which can cause itching, scaling, and pain.
Inhibitors of this receptor are believed to have potential against a wide range of autoimmune diseases for which there is currently no safe, orally available and effective treatment.
Tom Robinson
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