Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd has entered into a tripartite research and option agreement with Israel-based Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) and Spain’s Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS) to develop breakthrough products for the treatment of neurological diseases like brain stroke; as well as glioblastoma, a lethal brain cancer. Scientists at Weizmann Institute have developed a recombinant enzyme currently undergoing animal studies for indications of brain stroke and glioblastoma. Further studies of this enzyme will be conducted at the Health Research IDIS in Spain. Moreover, this enzyme may potentially be indicated for uses beyond these two brain diseases. As per the signed triparty agreement, Sun Pharma will have the first right to develop these additional indications.

Sun Pharma will have the exclusive option to conduct further development of the enzyme after completion of the preclinical studies. The company will have commercial rights to this product globally. It will also fund all future studies to be conducted on the enzyme. The tripartite research collaboration agreement has been signed between Sun Pharma, Yeda Research & Development Company Ltd. (the commercial arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science), and Fundacion Ramón Domínguez (on behalf of IDIS). Based on outcome of animal studies, Sun Pharma will have an option to exercise rights for further development and commercialisation of the enzyme.

Commenting on its collaboration with Weizmann Institute of Science and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Kirti Ganorkar, senior vice president, Sun Pharma said, “This collaboration is in line with our philosophy of putting patients first. We see our collaboration with world-renowned academic institutions like the WIS and the IDIS 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 specialized product portfolio.”

According to Prof. David Mirelman, the WIS, “We are pleased to be a part of the tripartite research and development agreement with Sun Pharma.  Our work is based on the original discoveries in the Weizmann Institute of the late Prof. Vivian Teichberg. Together with the researchers at the Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, working under the direction of Prof. Jose Castillo, we hope to bring this work to maturation.”

IDIS believes this collaboration will contribute to developing strong bonds for delivering important benefit in biomedical research and patients. Prof. José Castillo, director of IDIS said, “IDIS supports translational research so that new findings can be used in clinical practice. The agreement with Sun Pharma and WIS represents an important milestone for our Institution, since the studies carried out by the researchers of the Clinical Neuroscience Research Laboratory and Stroke Unit of the Neurology Department of our University Hospital are now closer to patients. The collaboration initiated with Prof. Vivian Teichberg and later continued with Prof. David Mirelman of the Weizmann Institute culminates through this new agreement. The development work collaborated through this agreement for treatment of neurological diseases like stroke, a leading cause of death and disability including loss of quality of life, can alleviate this epidemic in the 21st century. We also hope that this agreement contributes to bring new perspectives for the treatment of brain glioblastoma.”

Expected advantages in brain stroke treatment: One of the biggest benefits of this enzyme will be in the treatment of brain stroke. Currently, the major challenge in treating neurological diseases like stroke is the need for a definitive diagnosis of the type of stroke. Until physicians have verified whether the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic, specific treatment cannot be started. However, the initial few hours are critical, from the prognostic point of view. The delay between the occurrence of the stroke and the diagnosis could mean a life and death scenario, or lifelong disability for the patient. If successful, this enzyme will enable the immediate administration of the treatment by a paramedic while a patient is in transit to the hospital. The enzyme can make a significant difference to the patient, as it can prevent the significant loss of brain function and avoid the debilitating consequences of stroke, while promising an improved quality of life for the patient. Thus the enzyme is expected to overcome this unmet gap in current medical treatments.

Expected benefits in brain cancer treatment: Glioblastoma is a lethal form of brain cancer and despite currently available treatments, mortality rates are very high. Based on preclinical data, the enzyme could prove beneficial in this disease, and it may be able to fulfil a significant, unmet medical need by increasing longevity and quality of life for glioblastoma patients.