A recent collaboration targeting the development of new therapeutic approaches to the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has reportedly been forged between the Cleveland Clinic and Genzyme, a Sanofi company. As stated in a news release from Genzyme, the collaboration aims to align the research efforts of both organizations around projects designed to facilitate a deep understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of MS. The collaboration is also geared toward addressing unmet medical needs in MS, particularly in the progressive forms of the disease.
The release reports that initially, the collaboration will place a key focus on projects intended to explore strategies that address neurodegeneration and novel technologies to better understand the pathology of the disease. The collaboration will be led by a joint steering committee made up of Cleveland Clinic and Genzyme researchers and will span a minimum of 5 years.
David Meeker, president and CEO, Genzyme, articulates the company’s goal, “to advance and build a sustainable pipeline of novel therapeutic approaches, and our collaboration with Cleveland Clinic, along with our internal R&D efforts, reinforce Genzyme’s long-term commitment to the MS community.”
Jeffrey Cohen, MD, director of the Experimental Therapeutics Program at Cleveland Clinic’s Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, adds that the collaboration, “will allow for the development of innovative approaches to evaluate potential new therapies for progressive MS.”
[Source: Genzyme, a Sanofi Company]
