Astellas and Harvard Medical team up to investigate treatment options for retinal degeneration

WASHINGTON - Oct. 15, 2014 - PRLog -- Astellas Pharma Inc and an investigator at Harvard Medical will collaborate on discovering the pathologic mechanism and identifying therapeutic treatments for retinitis pigmentosa. This is a retinal degenerative disease caused by genetic mutations resulting in loss of peripheral and night vision, loss of color vision and complete blindness. This partnership is led by Innovation Management ("AIM"), Astellas, a new division established in October 2013 which manages external partnerships and innovation opportunities in the preclinical development stage.

Constance L. Cepko, Ph.D., Professor of Genetics and of Ophthalmology at Harvard, who’s also an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute will lead the research. This research is aimed at identifying and verifying  genes that prolong vision in those who inherit retinitis pigmentosa by utilizing adeno-associated virus vectors. Astellas has committed to this research collaboration for up to three years. The main target of this study is to recognize genes that lead to favorable treatment options. If successful, Astellas will conduct additional research on leading treatment contenders and will continue the developmental and commercialization process under an exclusive license from Harvard.

"For the purpose of enhancing the ability to generate new drugs, Astellas is looking for challenges in new therapeutic areas and novel technology platforms as well as new drug discovery opportunities that satisfy unmet medical needs through collaboration with external partners. This collaboration with Professor Cepko at Harvard is a part of this strategy. It is our hope that this collaboration to advance drug discovery will bring light to patients who struggle with retinitis pigmentosa," said Kenji Yasukawa, Ph. D., Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Astellas.

Dr. Cepko had the following to say: "We are hopeful that some of our candidates will preserve the color and daylight vision of RP patients, regardless of the disease gene in their family. These treatments may also be effective in people that have other types of ocular disease, such as age-related macular degeneration, or glaucoma."

Astellas’ commitment to this research is an innovative move to further expand their therapeutic portfolio in the ophthalmologic sector. There is no effective treatment for retinitis pigmentosa currently on the market.

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