MedGenesis Therapeutix ("MedGenesis"), a private biopharmaceutical company focused on central nervous system (“CNS”) treatments has inked a deal with Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) to license its glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protein in CNS and non-CNS indications. “GDNF is a naturally-occurring growth factor capable of protecting and promoting the survival of dopamine producing nerve cells,” MedGenesis stated.



As part of the license agreement, Amgen has been issued a “small equity stake” in MedGenesis.



In parallel Biovail (NYSE & TSX: BVF) and MedGenesis have entered into an agreement to collaborate on the development of GDNF in Parkinson's disease “and potentially other CNS indications”. Biovail is also a party to the Amgen license for CNS indications, including co-exclusive license to exploit GDNF in several countries, including the U.S., Canada, Japan and a number of European countries.



MedGenesis has also given Biovail a license to its Convection Enhanced Delivery (CED) platform for use with GDNF in CNS indications.



Biovail and MedGenesis said they intented to focus on the development of GDNF for possible treatments for Parkinson’s disease which affects 5 million people worldwide.



"This license of GDNF from Amgen presents MedGenesis and Biovail with an exciting opportunity to develop a potential breakthrough therapy for the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease. We believe that our Convection Enhanced Delivery approach will result in accurate, targeted delivery of GDNF to the regions of the brain affected by this severely debilitating disease and holds the promise of providing patients for the first time with a treatment which could potentially modify the disease, rather than just treat the symptoms," said Dr. Erich Mohr, Chairman and CEO of MedGenesis. "We are also excited to have licensed the GDNF protein exclusively from Amgen in non-CNS indications and to have the opportunity to investigate additional applications of the molecule through similar collaborations with other potential partners."

