A potential treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), developed by University of
Greenwich in association with Kings College, London, has begun clinical
trials.
The life sciences company BTG plc, which has licensed the
research, is running the trials on a new compound, known as
BGC20-0134.
Dr Laurence Harbige and Dr Mike Leach, from the Biomedical
& Drug Discovery Research Group in the University of Greenwich School of
Science, developed the new treatment following many years of research.
Dr
Laurence Harbige explains: "Although the cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown,
there is strong evidence that it involves the regulation of the immune system
through molecules in our bodies called cytokines. In MS, the balance of these
cytokines is altered, leading to inflammation in the brain which can result in
serious disability."
Dr Mike Leach adds: "This new treatment should
encourage the immune system to rebalance itself, by inhibiting the production of
inflammatory cytokines while promoting the production of helpful
anti-inflammatory ones."
These initial trials, in volunteers, will look
at how the new treatment works in the body and whether it leads to an increase
in the helpful cytokines. A pilot study of a prototype treatment developed by
the University of Greenwich team, which is related to this compound, has already
shown promising results. It demonstrated clinical benefits in patients with a
common form of multiple sclerosis, called relapsing-remitting. It led to
decreases in relapse rates, disability and pain, along with improvements in
quality of life. Preclinical research on the new compound, BGC20-0134, indicates
that it may be three times as potent as this prototype.
Professor Tom
Barnes, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research & Enterprise at the University of
Greenwich, congratulates the team behind the discovery: "It is very good news
that this research is now in clinical trials. Our university aims to carry out
work which is useful to society and this discovery is a classic example of that.
It highlights the excellence of
the research staff at Greenwich and also the business orientation of the
university, through this partnership with BTG plc. Drs Harbige and Leach are to
be congratulated on this important milestone."
Louise Makin, BTG's Chief
Executive Officer, comments: "The effective treatment of multiple sclerosis
remains a significant unmet need. We are pleased to have started clinical
development of BGC20-0134, which has the potential to address different forms of
the disease and has the advantage of being an oral product."
GREENWICH
UNIVERSITY
Old Royal Naval College
Park Row, Greenwich
London
SE10
9LS
http://www.gre.ac.uk
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