Ispen, a global specialty-driven pharmaceutical company, and Oncodesign, a drug discovery company, are collaborating to discover and develop innovative LRRK2 kinase inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents against Parkinson’s disease.

The research collaboration will combine Oncodesign’s Nanocyclix technology for next-generation kinase inhibitors with Ipsen’s expertise in movement disorders. The companies hope research will also provide data for additional uses in other therapeutic areas.

“Today, there is no treatment targeting the underlying pathogenetic mechanism leading to progressive deterioration in [Parkinson’s] patients,” said Claude Bertrand, Ipsen’s executive vice president, R&D and chief scientific officer, noting the importance of the research.

"This agreement allows us to advance our series of attractive LRRK2 inhibitors together with a partner with recognized expertise in CNS research,” said Jan Hoflack, Ph.D., chief scientific officer and leader of Oncodesign's discovery activities. “This is our first drug discovery partnership with a major biopharmaceutical company based on our Nanocyclix technology, validating our ability to identify uniquely potent and selective novel kinase inhibitors for use in Oncology, CNS, and other therapeutic areas."