The University of Melbourne has entered an agreement with
US start-up company Procypra Therapeutics LLC to develop a class of drugs for
treating neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease
is a progressively degenerative neurological disorder that affects
approximately 6.3 million worldwide. It causes changes to key proteins in the
brain making them toxic.
Cross-disciplinary research at the University of
Melbourne and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health has found
that a class of synthetic compounds called copper bis (thiosemicarbazones) can
potentially treat Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Copper
bis have the potential to treat the disease by preventing modifications to the
proteins occur.
The research was led by Dr Paul Donnelly, Professor
Kevin Barnham, and Professor Anthony White, all of them from different
departments of the University. The idea of developing a new therapy for the
treatment of the devastating disease was from Procypra, but the members of the
University of Melbourne adopted the project. Professor Frances Separovic gave her point of view about this agreement,
which according to her: “Reflects the desire for innovative research at The
University of Melbourne to be translated into impact and recognizes the importance
of working with academic collaborators, like the Florey Institute of
Neuroscience and Mental Health and industry partners to achieve this goal”. Under
the arrangement, the University will receive royalty payments from the sale of
products by Procypra. The Company anticipates that first-in-human clinical
trials will commence within 3 years.
University of Melbourne enters agreement to develop therapy for Parkinson's disease
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