New depression drug wins Mich. development funding

Wayne State University and former Pfizer scientists have formed a partnership hoping to expedite a promising new drug for depression while attracting biotech investors to the state.

The drug, which could lead to better treatment of depression and is backed by a $118,000 grant funded by the state's 21st Century Job Fund to commercialize intellectual property in Michigan, was discovered by Aloke Dutta, a WSU professor of pharmaceutical sciences.

It would target dopamine, a chemical in the brain that regulates walking, movement, balance, and two other neurotransmitters in the brain. None of the 38 FDA-approved anti-depressant drugs on the market target dopamine, and they can take weeks to help patients feel better. Dutta's discovery has the potential to offer relief and minimize side effects for 1 in 5 Americans suffering from depression.

"Dopamine has been implicated in depression for quite some time," said Dutta. "Now we are addressing the missing link."

Typically a drug must undergo further development before investors get interested, and that expertise is often based outside Michigan, said Randy Ramharack, WSU technology licensing manager. But research on Dutta's discovery will proceed faster because of the university's partnership with Michigan Technology and Research Institute, an Ann Arbor firm launched by seven former Pfizer scientists after the pharmaceutical company left Michigan in 2007.

The institute will provide the initial development for Dutta's drug and create a business plan for a new company. The institute and Wayne State will approach venture capitalists with the business plan to back the new company as the drug moves into clinical trials.

"The chances of keeping this (drug discovery) in Michigan are greater if we form a company here," said Ramharack.

Scientists at the institute, who have years of experience developing and bringing new drugs to the marketplace, have been providing research consultation to Michigan State University and University of Michigan. This is the first collaborative they have entered to move a new drug into the marketplace.

"It holds a great deal of promise," said David G. Pegg, president of the company's technical center. "Depression is an area of medicine where there is a need for new drugs that are safer and more effective."

Scientists at the institute are excited about the partnership since Dutta's discovery also offers a potential new drug for Parkinson's disease, substance abuse and pain.

The collaborative effort also is a model aimed at driving more technology growth in the state.

"There's a real gap between these early ideas within the university, and somebody willing to take them on," said Mike Bleavins, president of the institute's lab center.

Source : www.detnews.com