A1M Pharma has signed a sponsored research collaboration agreement with the world-renowned Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, USA, whose scientists include three Nobel laurates. The purpose of the collaboration is to elucidate molecular and tissue-specific mechanisms of action of the endogenous protein A1M.
Within the frame of the collaboration, the internationally renowned nephrologist and researcher Dr Richard Zager of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre will be working closely with A1M scientists to broaden the knowledge of molecular and tissue-specific mechanisms of action of the endogenous protein A1M. This work will provide key information for understanding the required dosing of A1M for individual patients.
The results of this research will provide A1M Pharma and their partners with clear insights for regulatory submissions and the designing of clinical trials for both pre-eclampsia and other acute kidney injuries. Moreover, this information will also assist A1M Pharma in the ongoing development of its large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
"This cooperation will be an important part of our ongoing development work before future clinical studies and it is inspiring to have the opportunity to do this together with internationally renowned scientists such as Dr Richard Zager of the prestigious Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre. The cooperation is at the same time an acknowledgement of A1M's work with developing treatments based on the endogenous protein A1M which will strengthen the scientific basis for all of our development projects", says A1M Pharma's CEO, Tomas Eriksson.
"A1M Pharma's drug candidate, based on the endogenous protein A1M, has delivered promising preclinical data for several indications with unmet medical needs of global significance, such as pre-eclampsia and acute kidney injury. I therefore look forward to studying the underlying mechanisms of action together with the company's team of prominent scientists. Pharmaceuticals based on endogenous substances is an interesting approach and the prospect of studying A1M, which is a very promising example of this, makes this research collaboration even more interesting", says Dr Richard Zager of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre.
About A1M Pharma
A1M Pharma develops a diagnostic method and treatment for pre-eclampsia, a condition that affects around 10 million pregnant women worldwide each year. This disorder is responsible for 76,000 maternal and 500,000 infant deaths each year and it is the cause of 15 % of all premature births. Currently, there is no effective diagnostic method or curative treatment for impaired kidney function associated with pre-eclampsia. The only option is therefore to terminate pregnancy by inducing delivery which leads to premature infants and substantial health care costs. Several studies indicate that A1M Pharma's candidate drug, the protein A1M (alpha-1-microglobulin), restores the impaired kidney function by repairing damaged tissue and protect against oxidative stress. New findings indicate that the cells within the heart are protected in a similar way. Apart from the connection with pre-eclampsia, kidney injury is a condition often accompanying major surgery and transplantation and the company is therefore also developing a treatment for the closely related indication acute kidney injury. Acute kidney injury that can lead to permanent kidney damage affects 12 million people every year.
About Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre is an independent research institute based in Seattle, USA, that have been conducting research on preventing cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases during 40 years. Fred Hutch's pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer with minimal side effects. Their scientists include three Nobel laureates and the centre houses the first and largest cancer prevention research program in the USA. The operation also includes the centre of the Women's Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. For more information visit www.fredhutch.org or follow Fred Hutch on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.
For more information, please contact:
Tomas Eriksson, CEO of A1M Pharma AB
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +46 46-286 50 30