GliaPharm and UCB enter drug discovery research collaboration

Co-founded by Prof. Pierre Magistretti, GliaPharm is a Swiss biotech company that develops treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders. GliaPharm’s therapeutic approach is to target glial cells, the “support cells” of neurons, and to develop new drugs that target glia-mediated pathways as agents for neuroprotection and maintenance of cognitive functions.

Under the terms of the strategic collaboration, GliaPharm will use their proprietary GliaX technology platform to validate a series of undisclosed therapeutic targets that will enhance UCB's efforts in discovering drugs for epilepsy. In accordance with the research plan, UCB will fund the collaboration and GliaPharm may be eligible to receive additional milestone payments.

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on medicines for and solutions to diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With more than 7 600 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of €5.3 billion in 2020.

Through the collaboration an industry leader validates the approach of targeting glial cells therapeutically in the treatment of neurological diseases. In addition, it validates the proprietary GliaX technology platform and recognizes GliaPharm’s team as leading experts in the field. It is GliaPharm’s second collaboration with a multinational company.

"We are excited to partner with UCB, a global leader in developing anti-epileptic drugs," said Prof. Pierre Magistretti, GliaPharm’s Scientific Founder, "By working together and sharing our respective expertise we hope to accelerate the target-based discovery and development of disease modifying treatments for epilepsy. We anticipate that continuing to undertake research with partners such as UCB will contribute to GliaPharm’s further growth”. The company is now entering into a Series A funding process to go into clinical studies for its targeted indications.

(Press release / SK)