Partners to Seek Novel Drugs to Treat Fibrotic Diseases

A global biopharmaceutical company and an American university hospital-based research institute have agreed to collaborate on the diagnosis and cure of fibrotic diseases.

Fibrotic diseases such as scleroderma, renal fibrosis, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are characterized by the gradual formation of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue.

The Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, USA) and the global pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb (New York, NY, USA) announced that they have entered into a translational research collaboration focused on identifying novel medicines to halt or slow the progression of fibrotic disease. The agreement also provides for studies designed to improve the mechanistic understanding of fibrosis and to explore patient segmentation based on disease characteristics and/or biomarker approaches and predictors of disease progression.

“Bristol-Myers Squibb’s collaboration with the Medical University of South Carolina further strengthens and advances our discovery research efforts in fibrotic diseases, a strategic area of focus for the company,” said Dr. Carl Decicco, head of discovery research and development at Bristol-Myers Squibb. “The Medical University of South Carolina brings substantial expertise in translational research and drug discovery related to fibrotic diseases including access to patient derived disease tissue samples that will help us accelerate the application of scientific knowledge to potential new treatment approaches for patients.”

“This is an exciting opportunity with the potential to make a significant impact in fibrotic diseases and in patients’ lives with these debilitating diseases,” said Dr. Karen Lackey, associate professor of pharmacy and executive director for therapeutic discovery development at the Medical University of South Carolina. “Our goal with translational research is to shorten the timeline in getting patients the medications and treatments they need. We have unparalleled expertise in fibrosis research at the Medical University of South Carolina, and this collaboration with a leader like Bristol-Myers Squibb in discovery and development of medications is going to take that foundational work to the next level.”

Related Links:
The Medical University of South Carolina
Bristol-Myers Squibb