MRC-funded work behind pharma involvement in potential stem cell therapy
24 April 2009
Professor Pete Coffey, from University College London, has entered into collaboration with the biopharmaceutical group Pfizer to advance development of stem cell-based therapies for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). An MRC grant to Professor Coffey supported the underpinning research that led directly to his current work. In addition, MRC funded the derivation of the human embryonic stem cell lines at the University of Sheffield which have provided the basis for this work to date.
AMD affects around a quarter of people over the age of 60 in the UK. It is estimated that over 710,000 people in the UK will suffer from AMD with severe vision impairment by 2020, with associated costs to the UK economy in excess of £6billion. The condition arises when cells supporting the light-sensitive cells in the retina fail, causing progressive loss of sight. There are two forms of AMD, ‘wet’ or ‘dry’. While recent advances have produced a therapy for the ‘wet’ form, there is unfortunately is no current or emerging therapy for the ‘dry’ form.
The London Project to Cure Blindness, led by Professor Pete Coffey (UCL Institute of Ophthalmology), is involved in producing a cell replacement therapy from human embryonic cells; a therapy which it aims to introduce into clinics by 2011. The goal is to replace cells essential for “seeing” lost through disease at the back of the eye.
The UCL–Pfizer collaboration will accelerate the research process by bringing together researchers’ pioneering work in the field of cell-based therapies and Pfizer’s expertise in design and delivery of therapeutics.
Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer will provide funding to UCL to enable research into the development of stem cell-based therapies for AMD as well as other retinal diseases. Pfizer will also contribute expertise in the design and execution of clinical studies, interaction with global regulators, and in product manufacturing techniques.
After the completion of preclinical safety studies, Pfizer will have the option to conduct clinical trials to determine efficacy of treatment and commercialise any resulting product.
Professor Coffey commented: “I’m delighted to be able to take this project on to the next stage thanks to this collaboration. Without MRC support, we would not be where we are today and now we not only have the benefit of Pfizer’s experience of the regulatory process and their expertise in stem cell technology but the ability, if this works, to produce on a much larger scale. It has huge implications, not only for our project, but for the field of regenerative medicine as a whole. And it is great that Britain is at the forefront of this research.”
John Jeans, Chief Operating Officer at the Medical Research Council, added: “It’s fantastic to see the work of the scientists we fund taken through the development pipeline and benefit from private sector support. Regenerative medicine bears great promise as a key sector in the years to come and we are proud to fund some of the leading scientists in the world, here in the UK. We look forward to further projects with Professor Coffey.”
Dr Ruth McKenna, Chief Scientific Officer of Pfizer Regenerative Medicine, added: “While we have much to learn about how stem cells can be used therapeutically, we are confident that this relationship will increase that understanding and help us to advance to a time when our work may benefit patients worldwide.”
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