LEO Pharma Unveils new Scientific Collaboration Strategy

BALLERUP, Denmark, Oct. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - LEO Pharma has announced plans to establish five long-term, strategic research collaborations in four countries by the end of next year. The ambitious initiative aims to deliver new treatment options to dermatology patients - faster than ever before. The first in the series of collaborations to be announced is with Charité, one of Europe's oldest and largest university hospitals.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110606/460992 )

Today, LEO Pharma has revealed plans to establish five long-term, strategic research collaborations from now until the end of 2013 in Australia, France, Germany and the US. The research will supplement LEO Pharma's internal R&D activities.

Each collaboration will integrate discovery research and exploratory clinical trials to an exceptionally high degree. The unique approach will enable LEO Pharma to explore more dermatological treatment solutions at record speed - reducing the time it takes to deliver new therapeutic options.

"This marks the beginning of an exciting journey for LEO Pharma and the patients we serve. By joining forces with world-leading experts, we hope to break important, new ground in dermatology - faster than we've ever done before," says Kim Kjoeller, Senior Vice President, Global Development.

"We're entering unchartered territory. Not only will we identify and test treatment solutions that no one has explored before; we will also explore new therapeutic areas for LEO Pharma. By working at the forefront of drug discovery and development, LEO Pharma can go that extra mile to meet patient needs. We are excited about the possibilities ahead."

The scope of the scientific collaboration strategy covers skin conditions in which LEO Pharma is already active, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and actinic keratosis, as well as new therapeutic areas for LEO Pharma, namely itch, acne and non-melanoma skin cancer.

Exploring itch at joint institute

LEO Pharma can already reveal details of its first collaboration: establishing a joint institute called I2DEAL, the International Institute of Dermatology and Allergy, with Charité, one of Europe's oldest and largest university hospitals. Here, experts will conduct early exploratory clinical trials and explore the underlying mechanisms of disease in allergic and itchy skin conditions. It is the first time that the Department of Dermatology and Allergy at Charité enters into collaboration with a private pharmaceutical company to such a high degree.

Prof. Dr. Marcus Maurer, Director of Research at the Department of Dermatology and Allergy at Charité, said: "A perfect match - that's how I'd describe our partnership with LEO Pharma. By combining our individual expertise, we can make significant advances in dermatology research and towards meeting patient needs.

"Our research will focus on itch and inflammation. We know that itchy and inflamed skin is by far the greatest burden of disease for many patients, particularly those with eczema and psoriasis. Despite this, patients lack satisfactory treatment options. Together with LEO Pharma, we aim to discover new ways to relieve patients from itchy and inflamed skin."

SOURCE: LEO Pharma A/S

Eva Juul Langlands,
Corporate Communications Manager,
[phone],
[email protected] 

Kim Kjoeller,
Senior Vice President,
Global Development,
[phone],
[email protected]