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November 28, 1996
- Neurochem Signs Collaborative Research Agreement to Discover Anti-Amyloid Compounds
with Warner-Lambert Parke-Davis.
Neurochem Inc. and Warner-Lambert Company (NYSE: WLA) have announced that they have
signed an agreement to collaborate on research for the discovery of compounds that
inhibit amyloid formation. The collaboration, Neurochem's first commercial alliance,
has the potential to lead to new compounds for the treatment of a variety of diseases,
including Alzheimer's disease, Type II (adult-onset) diabetes and cardiac amyloidosis.
Neurochem is a research stage pharmaceutical company with a focus on developing worldwide
pharmaceutical company devoted to discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing
quality pharmaceutical products.
Under the agreement, Neurochem will screen Parke-Davis molecules for their ability to
inhibit amyloid deposition in its proprietary assays. Parke-Davis receives exclusive
rights to develop and commercialize any amyloid inhibiting compounds identified for use
in Alzheimer's disease. Neurochem will receive milestone payments and royalties on
Alzheimer's molecules developed by Parke-Davis. Neurochem receives an option to acquire
exclusive rights to any compounds outside the central nervous system (CNS) area identified
during the collaboration.
"Amyloid formation is a central feature of Alzheimer's disease," said Dr.
Wendell Wierenga, Senior Vice President Research, Parke-Davis. "Neurochem has
developed novel technology based on an understanding of amyloid biology that may lead
to new approaches to treating this disease. This research collaboration complements our
discovery efforts in the Alzheimer's area."
"This collaboration, with the leader in the commercialization of Alzheimer's
therapeutics, is a significant endorsement of our technology and our approach to
amyloid-associated disorders," said Dr. Louis Lamontagne, President and CEO of
Neurochem. "In addition, the agreement will provide us with access to additional
compounds with potential application against other amyloid related diseases."
Amyloid deposits, abnormal toxic aggregations of needle-like filaments known as fibrils,
are associated with a number of diseases. They are composed of a specific precursor protein
and a number of complex carbohydrate molecules common to all deposits. For example, in
Alzheimer's disease, the precursor molecule is the beta-peptide, whereas, in Type II
diabetes, the protein is called amylin (IAPP).
A growing body of recent research has implicated amyloid formation in the pathology of
these diseases. Neurochem's approach is based on an understanding of the protein-carbohydrate
interactions that lead to amyloid deposition. In addition to its strong proprietary
position on molecules which inhibit amyloid formation, the company has developed a
variety of in vitro and in vivo assays to assess the anti-amyloid activity of drug
candidates.
Neurochem Inc., founded by PARTEQ Innovations (the commercialization arm of Queen's
University), is engaged in the discovery and development of small molecule compounds
to treat amyloid-related diseases, including Alzheimer's disease; cardiac amyloidosis;
and Type II (adult on-set) diabetes. The Company's technology, which capitalizes on the
discoveries of its scientific founders at Queen's University and the University of Toronto,
Canada, is based on a proprietary understanding of the process of amyloid formation.
Neurochem plans to begin clinical trials with its first compound, for cardiac amyloidosis,
in 1996.
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