The NeuroTranslational Program at Johns Hopkins University’s (JHU) Brain Science Institute (BSI) has entered into a licensing agreement with Woodcliff Lake, NJ-based pharmaceutical company Eisai, Inc., to discover and develop small molecule glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) inhibitors. The NeuroTranslational Program was launched in 2009 to enable drug-discovery scientists to work side by side with JHU faculty to translate basic science discoveries into small molecule therapeutics. Under terms of the agreement, Eisai has granted BSI non-exclusive U.S. rights to use its GCPII technology to generate inhibitor molecules for diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, including peripheral neuropathy and neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and ALS, as well as non-central nervous system diseases.<\/p>\n
BSI will be responsible for the GCPII research, drug discovery, and preclinical activities. Eisai will have an exclusive option to develop and commercialize any drug molecules generated from the collaboration, which will be led by a joint steering committee of representatives from both entities. “It is a great accomplishment for this team to announce a licensing agreement of this kind within its first year of operation,” says Jeffery Rothstein, MD, professor of neurology at JHU and co-director of the NeuroTranslational Program.<\/p>\n
Source: Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
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