UK-based Cognicept which focuses on drugs for Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders is now looking to partner with Indian bio-pharma majors  with its New Chemical Entity (NCE) to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

The key partnering objective for the company is in the areas of clinical co-development and territorial marketing deals. It is also seeking equity participation with the potential biotech business partners from Indian companies.

The company has its Alzheimer’s disease drug 'COGNOO1' ready for the next phase of clinical research. The drug has already completed phase II.

“We seek to partner on opportunities where we can leverage our experience and contract network to bring new therapies to market in an expeditious and cost-effective manner,” stated Dr Adam Love, chief executive officer, Cognicept Ltd.

Dr Love was here in Bangalore as part of the UK Biotech Business delegation stated that there was an urgent need to  bring in cost-effective therapies to the fore.

The primary focus of the company is the neurodegenerative condition of dementia and in particular Alzheimer’s disease which is the most common cause thereof. Our effort is to find and develop novel treatments for this condition. The drug should offer long-lasting benefits to those afflicted with the condition. “We aim to achieve our objective using a diversified business model which encompasses both advancing out our own development candidates and those of our clients via the consulting services under the banner of fee for service model,” he added.

Currently, more than 50 per cent of the global population suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and is set to rise to 70 per cent by 2015. Stating that areas for potential collaboration for companies in India with 'COGNOO1' which is a small molecule would be to modify the same for patients with mild cognitive impairment.

The 'COGNOO1' has EMA and FDA regulation clearance. It is a first-in-class small molecule as a NCE. The drug which is orally available has indicated good blood-brain barrier, said Dr Love.

The company has the data of the mode of action which is confirmed via multi-target biomarkers in a completed phase I study carried out in the US. Now Cognicept is in an advanced planning for an adaptive phase II and phase III clinical study, he said.

The partnering objectives for Cognicept with Indian companies would be to seek funding through strategic alliances to expand the clinical programme outside the US. The potential partner should also require completion of some long-term pre-clinical toxicology studies, stated Dr Love.

Further, there are also opportunities to team-up for phase III study for brain cancer for which Cognicept has a gene therapy molecule ready for operable malignant glioma grade IIII and IV.