Vicore Pharma receives funding for development of angiotensin AT2-receptor agonists for potential treatment of multiple sclerosis
Gothenburg, Sweden, December 20, 2012: Vicore Pharma today announced funding support from Fast Forward, LLC, a not-for-profit organization established by the U.S. National Multiple Sclerosis Society and EMD Serono,Inc., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The funding award will help support the research of angiotensin AT2-receptor agonists for the potential treatment of multiple sclerosis under a three-party collaboration with Vicore Pharma, The Department for Medicinal Chemistry at Uppsala University, Sweden and Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany.
“We are delighted to gain this substantial funding as well as to be able to work with Fast Forward and their collaborative partner, EMD Serono,Inc.,” said Per Jansson, CEO of Vicore Pharma.
The award from Fast Forward and EMD Serono, which provides US 531,300 over 18 months, will be distributed from the Accelerating Commercial Development Program, created by EMD Serono, Inc. and Fast Forward to encourage commercial drug discovery and development for MS.
“The promise of current research like that undertaken by Vicore Pharma to change the MS landscape is exciting. aIt fuels the collaboration between Fast Forward and EMD Serono in advancing science in key areas of focus to speed the development of new therapies and innovations to benefit people living with MS. We are proud to be able to provide resources for those working to end MS and look forward to the seeing the results stemming from these projects,” said Dr. Timothy Coetzee, Chief Research Officer at the National MS Society and Fast Forward.
About Fast Forward, LLC
Fast Forward, LLC, established by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as part of a comprehensive approach to MS research and treatment, focuses on speeding promising research discoveries towards commercial drug development. Fast Forward accelerates the development of treatments for MS by connecting university-based MS research with private-sector drug development and by funding small biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies to develop innovative new MS therapies and repurpose FDA-approved drugs as new treatments for MS. For more information, please visit www.fastforward.org.
About Vicore Pharma
Vicore Pharma is a drug development company focused on the research and development of innovative drugs for unmet medical needs. The foundation for the company’s activities is its unique knowledge of AT2 receptors as target proteins for the development of novel pharmaceuticals. Vicore Pharma is active in preclinical development in the areas of neuro protection, anti-inflammation and cardiovascular conditions. Important processes in the company are research, drug discovery, and preclinical development. In addition to these processes, Vicore Pharma also has medical and regulatory expertise.
Contact:
Per Jansson, CEO
t: +46 709 17 47 46
e-mail: per.jansson@vicorepharma.com
www.vicorepharma.com
About Uppsala University
Uppsala University, founded in 1477, is a comprehensive university with nine faculties, about 40 000 students and 6 000 employees. The university has 600 full professors, 22% of whom are women. Some 4 200 undergraduate degrees and about 330 doctorates are conferred every year.
About Charité Universitätsmedizin
The Charité is one of the largest university hospitals in Europe. Here, 3 800 doctors and scientists heal, do research and teach at the top international level. More than half of the German Nobel Prize winners in medicine and physiology come from the Charité, among them Emil von Behring, Robert Koch and Paul Ehrlich. The Charité also has an international reputation for excellence in training. It extends over four campuses with more than 100 clinics and institutes bundled under 17 Charité Centers. With 13 000 employees, the Charité generates about 1.2 billion euros in sales per year and is one of the largest employers in Berlin. In 2010, the Charité could look back and joyously celebrated its 300-year anniversary.
About multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the central nervous system and is the most common, non-traumatic, disabling neurological disease in young adults. It is estimated that approximately two million people have MS worldwide. While symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms of MS include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the limbs and problems with strength and coordination. The relapsing forms of MS are the most common.
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, collaborating with MS organizations around the world, and providing programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. Join the movement at www.nationalMSsociety.org
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