Dale Schenk, Chief Scientific Officer, Discusses the Recent Collaboration with PharmatrophiX

Recently, Elan and PharmatrophiX, a biotechnology company focused on the development of small molecule ligands for growth factor receptors relevant to neurological disorders, announced a global collaboration to research, develop and commercialize the neurologic indications of PharmatrophiX’s portfolio of compounds targeting the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR). Dale Schenk, Elan’s Chief Scientific Officer, discusses this collaboration and describes Elan’s cutting-edge Alzheimer’s disease research and development program.

What is the nature of the collaboration with PharmatrophiX?

We are very excited to formalize our relationship with PharmatrophiX, as this is the culmination of over two years of collaboration. Going forward, Elan will work with PharmatrophiX on continued research on all p75 ligands, compounds that mimic the activity of neurotrophins by interacting with neurons that are susceptible to loss in AD, for neurologic indications. In addition, all potential development and commercial activities for these compounds will be performed by Elan.

How does LM11A-31 fit in with bapineuzumab and the other Alzheimer’s disease (AD) drugs Elan has in development?

LM11A-31, which is the lead compound in the PharmatrophiX portfolio, interacts with and potentially protects neurons that are susceptible to loss in AD. We believe that the addition of this compound diversifies Elan portfolio by adding an orally available therapeutic platform that may attack AD from a different, and potentially complementary, approach than current investigational molecules in the Elan pipeline.

Is targeting the p75NTR consistent with the beta amyloid hypothesis in AD?

Targeting the p75NTR is a different, but potentially complementary approach to the beta amyloid hypothesis of potential AD therapies. As mentioned before, the p75 ligands mimic the activity of neurotrophins by interacting with neurons that are susceptible to loss in AD. In addition, it is believed that these compounds potentially could protect neurons from the effects of beta amyloid.

Why is it important to have a multi-dimensional approach to researching and developing AD therapies?

The cause or causes of AD, its pathology and the full nature of its attack on the brain are complex and may not be completely understood for years or even decades. Given this complexity, scientific research and future medical treatment must focus on therapies with disease-modifying potential and do so in the broadest array of possible approaches that will help us address the full range of possible underlying causes.

What is the scope of Elan’s current approaches to AD?

In addition to this recent collaboration to research, develop and potentially commercialize PharmatrophiX’s p75 ligands, Elan has four distinct therapeutic approaches to AD that target abeta or beta amyloid. These include immunologic approaches to clearing beta amyloid (bapineuzumab and ACC-001); ELND-005, a compound that may prevent beta amyloid from forming plaques or toxic aggregates; and our gamma and beta secretase inhibitors that prevent the formation of abeta.

What does this collaboration mean for Elan?

This collaboration reinforces our strategy to explore and pursue multiple approaches to bring forward potentially disease-modifying therapeutics for AD and illustrates our leadership in the field of neuroscience.