Objective
REGENERA MS will assess the technical and commercial feasibility of a novel peptide as a superior treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). Successful commercialization of our peptide could reduce the socioeconomic burden of MS, provide an early-therapy option to delay disease progression and thus extend and improve patients’ lives, with potential effectiveness in related neurodegenerative diseases. MS is a chronic inflammatory, autoimmune, and neurological disease without a cure, affecting the lives of 1.2M Europeans and causing significant economic costs to patients and society. Currently, there is no cure for MS. Approved disease-modifying treatments such as IFN-β1, glatiramer acetate and alemtuzumab are clinically effective but come with high costs, significant side-effects, and intrusive administration. Thus, a medical unmet need remains for novel MS therapies that can halt progression, promote myelin repair and limit complications. To improve on the current therapeutic regimen, we propose a next-generation neurotrophic factor (NTF) therapy that has curative potential by halting MS progression and regenerating demyelinated tissue. My group has discovered a novel peptide with neurotrophic properties and which, in contrast to classical NTFs, (i) has neurorestorative effects and can enhance remyelination (ii) penetrates the blood-brain barrier (BBB), (iii) can be subcutaneously administered, and (iv) can be inexpensively produced. In REGENERA MS, we will evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties and efficacy of a novel therapeutic peptide in organotypic brain cultures, human induced oligodendrocyte-like pluripotent stem cell-derived cells and in MS animal models. Subsequently, we will verify the IP position and strategy, perform an in-depth market and competitor analysis, and finally consolidate these findings into a business case to establish the best path to commercialization.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept GrantsHost institution
00014 Helsingin Yliopisto
Finland