Great news indeed, though Amgen seems to be holding on to something.
This is the first I noticed the word "protein" attached to GDNF, and I
wondered whether "GDNF protein" means anything different from "GDNF."
One site lists GDNF protein as an alternative name for GDNF, which it
defines thus:
"Glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a highly conserved
neurotrophic factor that is a distant member of the TGF beta superfamily.
The GDNF gene product is processed to a disulphide-linked homodimer, which
is a ligand for the RET protooncogene. GDNF protects and repairs
dopamine-containing neurons, which degenerate in Parkinson's disease, and
motor neurons, which die in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The use of GDNF
in the treatment of Parkinson's disease has shown promise in the clinic.
Treatment of spinal cord injuries with GDNF has also produced neurological
improvement." <http://www.abcam.com/GDNF-protein-ab9790.html>
http://www.abcam.com/GDNF-protein-ab9790.html
Ten years ago, my neurologist said that she had high hopes for GDNF. Hard to
believe Amgen was allowed to withhold this promising substance for so long.
Who knows why they decided to release it now.
Let's hope MedGenesis and Biovail run with this.
Kathleen
2010/1/12 [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> -- this is really significant news. Many believe GDNF is one of the most
> promising treatments being researched for PD and Amgen has been sitting on
> it since halting all trials in 2004.. That meant 5 + wasted years for PWP.
> Hopefullly MedGenesis and Biovail will move the research forward quickly
> and successfully.
>
>
> "MedGenesis Announces Agreements With Amgen and Biovail
>
> VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/12/10 -- MedGenesis
> Therapeutix Inc. ("MedGenesis"), a biopharmaceutical company developing and
> commercializing innovative treatments for patients with serious central
> nervous system (CNS) diseases, announced today that it has successfully
> entered into an agreement with Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) ("Amgen"), granting
> MedGenesis an exclusive, worldwide license for glial cell line-derived
> neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protein in CNS and non-CNS indications, subject
> to the rights of a co-exclusive licensee for CNS indications in certain
> countries, as further described below. As part of the license agreement,
> Amgen now holds a small equity stake in MedGenesis. In parallel, Biovail
> Laboratories International SRL, a subsidiary of Biovail Corporation (NYSE:
> BVF)(TSX: BVF), Canada's largest publicly traded pharmaceutical company, and
> MedGenesis have concluded an agreement to collaborate on the development of
> GDNF in Parkinson's disease and potentially other CNS indications. Biovail,
> which is also a party to the Amgen license for CNS indications and which has
> a co-exclusive license to exploit GDNF in certain countries (including the
> U.S., Canada, Japan and a number of European countries), contributes
> significant development expertise, a broad-based commercialization track
> record, and a focus on CNS disorders.
>
> MedGenesis has also granted Biovail a license to its Convection Enhanced
> Delivery (CED) platform for use with GDNF in CNS indications. MedGenesis and
> Biovail will initially focus on the development of GDNF for Parkinson's
> disease, a progressive and debilitating neurological disease affecting close
> to 5 million patients worldwide. GDNF is a naturally-occurring growth factor
> capable of protecting and promoting the survival of dopamine producing nerve
> cells.
>
> "This license of GDNF from Amgen presents MedGenesis and Biovail with an
> exciting opportunity to develop a potential breakthrough therapy for the
> treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease. We believe that our
> Convection Enhanced Delivery approach will result in accurate, targeted
> delivery of GDNF to the regions of the brain affected by this severely
> debilitating disease and holds the promise of providing patients for the
> first time with a treatment which could potentially modify the disease,
> rather than just treat the symptoms," said Dr. Erich Mohr, Chairman and CEO
> of MedGenesis. "We are also excited to have licensed the GDNF protein
> exclusively from Amgen in non-CNS indications and to have the opportunity to
> investigate additional applications of the molecule through similar
> collaborations with other potential partners."
>
> more at
>
> http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Medgenesis-Therapeutix-Inc-1100252.html
>
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