Oncodesign, a biotech based in France, and the Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy (LNGT) at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, have entered into a research collaboration to evaluate, along with a global specialty-driven pharmaceutical company Ipsen, Oncodesign’s compounds in multiple pharmacology models for Parkinson's disease.

The collaboration builds on Oncodesign's LRRK2 program with advanced Nanocyclix lead molecules that was partnered with Ipsen in January 2012.
 
“Our partnership with Ipsen on the discovery of novel therapeutic agents in Parkinson’s disease has advanced to a stage where we can use further in-depth expertise and advanced pharmacology models to position our leads,” said Jan Hoflack, Ph.D., chief scientific officer and head of Oncodesign's discovery activities.  “We are very excited to collaborate with KU Leuven to advance our understanding of both our inhibitors and the LRRK2 target.”

Oncodesign and LNGT will closely collaborate to advance Oncodesign's Parkinson’s disease program towards clinical development. LNGT will receive full financial support from Oncodesign for these activities.  
 
“This collaboration with Oncodesign is a perfect example of translational research in action,” said Veerle Baekelandt, Ph.D., principle investigator of LNGT. “Parkinson’s disease has been the focus of our research for more than 10 years now. We are very pleased that Oncodesign has selected our lab as a partner for advancing their kinase program.”