TIRCON Partners ApoPharma
Partner Profile
ApoPharma Inc. is a Canadian pharmaceutical company that was spun out of the Research and Development division of Apotex Inc. Incorporated in 2003, ApoPharma is focused on the discovery and development of new medicines for conditions in the fields of hematology, immune-related diseases and neurodegeneration, where there is no treatment or inadequate therapy to meet the needs of patients. Ferriprox™ (deferiprone), approved by the European Commission in August 1999, was the first ApoPharma product to get licensed. Ferriprox is an iron chelator that reduces the risk of iron-induced toxicity in thalassemia patients with iron overload and is approved in >60 countries around the world, including the USA. Understanding of the role of iron in the pathology of several diseases has led ApoPharma to investigate the use of deferiprone in certain iron-related neurodegenerative conditions, such as Friedreich Ataxia, pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration and Parkinson's Disease, as well as invest in the development of a series of novel molecules designed to remove iron from different iron pools in the body, or prevent iron-mediated pathology. A second stream in our drug development pipeline is of novel oligopeptides that exert immunomodulatory activity, with Phase II trials currently underway in psoriasis, as our first indication.
Expertise
ApoPharma has developed a cadre of scientists in pharmacology, toxicology, molecular biology, medicinal chemistry and clinical science that has focused efforts on understanding how to interrupt iron-mediated pathology in conditions of both iron overload and aberrant iron cellular homeostasis, with the use of targeted iron chelation. Often in conjunction with basic and clinical scientists around the world, ApoPharma is conducting research aimed at modifying iron-related pathology that spans conditions from transfused hereditary anemias to neurodegeneration, and at defining new targets for treatment of immune system-mediated disorders. Complementary to our research skills is our expertise in non-clinical and clinical drug development, a requisite for bringing new molecules to the market.
Main Tasks in Project
- Manufacture and supply of GMP quality formulated deferiprone and matching placebo for the study of patients with PKAN
- Partner in WP4, including extensive CRO activities
