Drug discovery collaboration on inclusion body myositis

The MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Senexis Limited, and the Oxford MRC Functional Genomics Unit (FGU) have announced that they have agreed to collaborate on the discovery of novel therapeutics for Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM).

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is the most common acquired muscle disease in people over 50 years old, currently there is no effective treatment. The collaboration will exploit the three organisations’ combined resources and intellectual property to accelerate the discovery of new compounds for the potential treatment of inclusion body myositis.

Mark Treherne, Senexis’ Chief Executive, commented: “We are pleased to be collaborating with the MRC at Oxford and at University College, London. Inclusion body myositis receives comparatively little attention and there is a significant medical need for therapeutic intervention for this condition. We now look forward to being able to accelerate the discovery of molecules with future therapeutic potential”.

Professor Sattelle said: “This MRC funding will assist in bringing the impact of basic research to patients more quickly.” 

To read the full MRC press release, please follow the link below:

http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Newspublications/News/MRC006187