Advertise With UsAdvertise on our extensive network of industry websites and newsletters.
Get the PBR newsletterSign up to our free email to get all the latest PBR
news.Akzo-Nobel's pharmaceutical business Organon has entered a research collaboration with the Dutch Academic Medical Center to develop a new therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.
Subscribe to our email newsletter
Organon plans to continue research and development aiming at clinical application of the Academic Medical Center (AMC) for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and possible other diseases. Under the agreement, Organon receives an exclusive license. Financial details have not been disclosed.
“This research fits well with our objectives in biotechnology and immunology,” commented David Nicholson, executive vice president R&D at Organon.
AMC researchers have recently demonstrated that treatment of CD97 with monoclonal antibodies results in a significant improvement in the course of rheumatoid arthritis in experimental disease models. At an early stage of the disease, CD97 antibodies can prevent damage to the joints and reduce joint swelling and bone erosion in chronic rheumatoid arthritis. CD97 is a receptor protein found on the surface of many kinds of inflammatory cells. Blocking CD97 alleviates the inflammation in the joint tissue.
“We will continue our research with Organon into the mechanisms of action of anti-CD97. CD97 represents a new category of 'G protein-coupled receptors', which are probably involved in cell migration,” said researcher Dr Jorg Hamann.