Bayer and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) have agreed on a five-year strategic research alliance in the fight against kidney diseases. The partners will jointly evaluate new drug candidates for the treatment of kidney diseases with the goal of accelerating the translation of innovative approaches from the laboratory to pre-clinical development.
Patients suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESDR) face dialysis, transplantation or palliative care as their only therapeutical options. There is no effective treatment available that can prevent the cardiovascular consequences of chronic kidney disease and at the same time reduce the progression to ESRD. The goal is to develop two investigational new drugs addressing the medical need of ESDR within the time frame of this strategic research alliance.
"Bayer is committed to further expanding its research efforts in the area of renal diseases", said Dr. Andreas Busch, member of the Executive Committee of Bayer AG's Pharmaceuticals Division and Head of Drug Discovery. "We are seeking to join forces with industrial and academic partners to develop innovative drug candidates and to eventually offer patients new treatment options. Therefore, we are pleased to partner with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which is among the academic leaders in kidney disease and clinical translation."
"Our mission is to perform innovative research and translate discoveries to prevent, diagnose, and cure kidney diseases", said Professor Ray Harris, director of the Vanderbilt Center for Kidney Disease at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "Bayer and Vanderbilt University Medical Center will jointly work on multiple projects, combining their expertise. This additional research will allow us to make advances in the area of kidney diseases."
Under the agreement, Bayer and Vanderbilt University Medical Center will jointly conduct research activities including target validation, assay development and lead optimization. Both parties will contribute personnel and infrastructure to address important scientific questions. Bayer will have an option for the exclusive use of the collaboration results. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss of renal function over several months to years, characterized by gradual replacement of normal kidney architecture (nephrons) with interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. The progressive destruction of nephrons causes a decreased glomerular filtration rate, which very often leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis treatment or kidney transplantation. The main causes underlying chronic kidney disease are: diabetes, high blood pressure, and glomerulonephritis.