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GSK/Pentraxin: Targeting SAP in Amyloidosis, and Maybe Alzheimer's Too

 
• By Melanie Senior

University College London spin-out Pentraxin's February 2009 tie-up with GlaxoSmithKline in amyloidosis showed GSK's willingness to invest in risky, early-stage research. Weeks later, Pentraxin announced promising clinical data with a related program in Alzheimer's, raising the possibility that this alliance may yet expand beyond a specialist niche.

University College London spin-out Pentraxin Therapeutic Ltd.’s March 2009 tie-up with GlaxoSmithKline PLC around a novel treatment for amyloidosis wasn’t a big deal (financials weren’t given). [See Deal] But it was noteworthy for showing GSK’s small-unit structure at work, and its willingness to invest in risky, early-stage research. Also interesting was the compound in question: a small-molecule and antibody dual treatment that Pentraxin claims is unprecedented in drug development. Then in April 2009, Pentraxin announced promising clinical data with the small-molecule component of the program in patients with Alzheimer’s, raising the possibility that this alliance may yet expand beyond a specialist niche—and provide further validation of Pentraxin’s approach.

The amyloidosis deal came about thanks largely to GSK’s (fairly) fresh-from-academia SVP drug discovery Patrick Vallance, MD, PhD, who joined...

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Final Chance To Have Your Say: Take Scrip's Reader Survey This Week

 
• By Eleanor Malone

Editor’s note: This is your final call to participate in the survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. The deadline is 20 September.

Shape Our Content: Take The Reader Survey

 
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• By Andrew McConaghie

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Analysts Split On Eisai’s Chances Of Changing EU Regulator’s Mind On Leqembi

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

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• By Andrew McConaghie

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• By Vibha Ravi

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• By Andrew McConaghie

The company has established the efficacy of its biologic Saphenlo in systemic lupus erythematosus but is now investing across modalities to stay ahead of rivals.