Australian institute teams up with China Grand Pharma to develop world-first drug
23 Dec 2019
Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics has signed a significant
commercial agreement with China Grand Pharma to develop the world’s first
small molecule drug to treat diseases caused by human parainfluenza virus.
Griffith University signed the exclusive licence and co-development
agreement with China Grand Pharma to co-develop and commercialise the human
parainfluenza drug candidate globally.
The deal comprises significant upfront research and development and licence
fees, as well as development and sales milestone payments with a tiered
royalty on product sales.
This translational research program is a significant step in building China
Grand Pharma’s drug discovery pipeline.
‘We are delighted to partner with the Institute for Glycomics to develop
and commercialise this promising new technology,’ says Michael Wang, Vice
President of China Grand Pharma.
‘We believe that combining the Institute’s unique platform with our
capabilities in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector will allow for the
rapid and effective development of new therapeutics to combat this deadly
virus and contribute to better global health.’
Human parainfluenza virus (hPIV) commonly causes upper and lower
respiratory illnesses in infants, young children, the elderly, and people
with weakened immune systems, including transplant patients, however anyone
can get infected. There is currently no therapeutic available to
specifically treat hPIV infection.
Professor Mark von Itzstein AO, Director of the Institute for Glycomics, is
the lead researcher and co-inventor of the new scientific discovery.
Professor Itzstein was the leader of the research team that discovered
Relenza, the world’s first drug for influenza.
‘This multimillion-dollar agreement represents Australia’s largest
pre-clinical stage university engagement with Pharma to discover a novel
antiviral drug and reflects our strong scientific team and IP portfolio,’
says Dr Chris Davis, the Institute’s General Manager and Chair of the
Queensland branch of Ausbiotech Ltd.
The Institute for Glycomics is one of Australia’s flagship biomedical
research institutes. Established in 2000, the institute strives to be a
world leader in the discovery and development of next-generation drugs,
vaccines and diagnostics for diseases of global impact.
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