The following is an update of recent alliance and deal activity among biopharmaceutical companies and research institutions.
H. Lundbeck A/S of Denmark has signed agreements with Zenobia Therapeutics Inc of La Jolla, California and Vernalis Plc of the UK to research inhibitors for a family of kinases relevant to diseases of the central nervous system. Specifically, the Danish company is investigating the Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) as a target for a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Lundbeck will collaborate with Zenobia to explore the structure and chemistry of the target using Zenobia’s protein expression and x-ray crystallography technology. In a separate agreement with Vernalis, the two companies will identify candidate compounds that can inhibit LRRK2. Financial terms were not disclosed. LRRK2 is an enzyme that is encoded by the LRRK2 gene. Mutations in this gene represent a risk for Parkinson’s disease. LRRK2 inhibition is potentially neuroprotective as it appears the gene is expressed at high levels in dopamine-producing neurons, Lundbeck said.