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news.US-based biopharmaceutical Viking Therapeutics has entered into a research collaboration agreement with the Academic Medical Center (AMC) of the University of Amsterdam in Netherlands to develop new thyroid beta agonists to treat X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), a rare and often fatal metabolic disorder.
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As part of the deal, Viking will provide financial support and access to its proprietary library of thyroid beta agonists for AMC scientists to evaluate in preclinical models of the disease.
The deal will see Viking own exclusive rights to all research and associated intellectual property resulting from the collaboration, while AMC will have the ability to publish results, subject to Viking’s consent.
X-ALD is characterized by a breakdown in the protective barriers surrounding brain and nerve cells; a process known as demyelination.
Viking Therapeutics president and chief executive officer Brian Lian said: "This agreement allows us to rapidly explore the potential benefit of our selective thyroid receptor agonists in this important area of unmet medical need.
"Our novel small molecules may represent an attractive approach to addressing the underlying pathology of X-ALD. In collaboration with AMC, we are committed to pursuing the therapeutic potential of our program in this devastating disease."