University of Melbourne enters Parkinson's treatment deal

The University of Melbourne has entered into a drug development deal with Procypra Therapeutics, a US start-up company established by Collaborative Medicinal Development under the umbrella of venture capital firm Cthulhu Ventures.

Research at the University of Melbourne and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health showed that a class of synthetic compounds called copper bis (thiosemicarbazones) can potentially treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and motor neuron disease. Parkinson’s causes changes to key proteins in the brain, making them toxic, but copper bis have been found to prevent these modifications.

The research was led by Dr Paul Donnelly (School of Chemistry and Bio21 Institute), Associate Professor Kevin Barnham (Bio21 Institute, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and the Department of Pharmacology) and Associate Professor Anthony White (Department of Pathology). The licence agreement was facilitated by UoM Commercial, the university’s commercial engagement services company.

The agreement states that the university will receive royalty payments on products developed by Procypra. Professor Frances Separovic, head of the School of Chemistry, said it “reflects the desire for innovative research at The University of Melbourne to be translated into impact and recognises the importance of working with academic collaborators … and industry partners to achieve this goal”.

Procypra anticipates that the first in-human clinical trials will commence within three years.