Cypralis links up with J&J Innovation in neurodegenerative diseases

Cypralis is to collaborate with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, on the development of new cyclophilin inhibitors for neurogenerative diseases.

The collaboration was facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Cyclophilin inhibitors are non-selective between the four commonly screened cyclophilin isoforms A, B, C and D. Cypralis and Janssen are undertaking a joint research programme 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.

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.’

Cypralis was spun out from Ongar, Essex, UK-based Selcia in 2013 to exploit its expertise and know-how in targeting peptidyl-prolyl isomerases (known as PPIases), a large family of druggable protein targets involved in many acute and chronic diseases.

The firm is a developer of innovative therapeutics through inhibition of PPIases and expects to build upon its existing intellectual property through its own R&D activities and through collaborations with pharma companies, such as Janssen Pharmaceuticals.