Cypralis, a life sciences company focussed on the discovery of therapeutics for the modulation of peptidyl-prolyl isomerases (PPIases), has entered into a collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
Human prion protein (hPrP), chemical structure Associated with neurodegenerative diseases
The collaboration, facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation aims to develop new cyclophilin inhibitors for neurodegenerative diseases according to Cypralis.
Cyclophilin inhibitors on the market or in development are non-selective between the four commonly screened cyclophilin isoforms A, B, C and D.
Cypralis and Janssen are undertaking a joint research program to generate a new class of CNS penetrant, selective inhibitors of cyclophilin D applicable to targeting degenerative diseases including CNS degeneration.
The medicinal chemistry and PPIase screening will be sub-contracted to Selcia Limited.
Simon Kerr, CEO of Cypralis said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Janssen in order to develop a novel class of cyclophilin D inhibitors.
“We are hopeful that this effort will pave the way towards a new approach to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.”