India-based Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has partnered with Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science and Spain's Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS) to develop new products to treat neurological conditions such as strokes and glioblastoma, a lethal type of brain cancer.
A recombinant enzyme has been developed by scientists at Weizmann Institute and is currently undergoing animal studies.
Spain's IDIS will be responsible for carrying out further studies of this enzyme, which may potentially be indicated for uses beyond these two brain conditions.
Under the tripartite research and option agreement, Sun Pharma will have the first right to develop these additional indications, as well as have the exclusive option to conduct further development of the enzyme upon completion of preclinical studies.
Sun Pharma senior vice-president Kirti Ganorkar said: "We see our collaboration with world-renowned academic institutions like the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela enabling new projects on breakthrough products to address current unmet medical needs.
"Such products will bring about a better quality of life for the patient by enabling doctors to make crucial decisions and offer immediate treatment in high-risk medical emergencies.
"We are excited about this collaboration and envision that this will enrich our novel and highly specialised product portfolio."
In addition to securing commercial rights to this product globally, Sun Pharma will also fund all future studies to be conducted on the enzyme.
Based on data from the animal studies, Sun Pharma will have an option to exercise rights for further development and commercialisation of the enzyme.
According to IDIS, the collaboration will contribute in developing strong bonds for delivering important benefit in biomedical research and patients.
