Grünenthal and KU Leuven join forces to develop an innovative non-opioid pain treatment

Aachen and Leuven, Belgium (ots) - Grünenthal, the Katholieke
Universiteit Leuven's Centre for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3) and
the Laboratory of Ion Channel Research (LICR) announced today that
they have entered into a research collaboration for the development
of novel non-opioid drug candidates for the treatment of painful
diseases with a high unmet medical need.

The partnership builds on lead compounds jointly developed by CD3
and LICR as well as on the know-how of Thomas Voets (LICR) and Joris
Vriens (LICR), leading experts in the field of TRP ion channels, who
have identified a novel, innovative and potentially pivotal target
for non-opioid pain management. Grünenthal will provide its expertise
and technical capabilities in pain research and drug development to
further optimize the compounds towards novel, innovative
first-in-class clinical candidates.

"We are delighted to be part of this collaboration. It is a
perfect example of an integrated approach that comprises the
capabilities of the academic environment, early drug discovery
centers and the pharmaceutical industry to deliver innovative
solutions for unmet patient needs", Klaus-Dieter Langner, Chief
Scientific Officer Grünenthal explains. "To leverage the latest
approaches in pain research, Grünenthal is strongly committed to
initiate close collaborations with the scientific community on early
stage R&D projects."

"There is still a high unmet medical need in pain management.
Chronic pain is the most common cause of long-term disability,
affecting up to one in three adults at some point of their lifetime.
About half of the patients suffering from chronic pain report
inadequate pain control with existing treatments," Thomas Voets, Head
LICR said. Patrick Chaltin, Managing Director CD3 added: "The fact
that pain is such a widespread health problem has driven us to work
with Prof. Voets and Prof. Vriens towards new potential pain
treatments based on LICRs innovative science and we are now extremely
happy to also join forces with Grünenthal, a leading company in the
pain field."

About TRP ion channels

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are a group of ion
channels located mostly on the plasma membrane of numerous cell
types. There are about 28 TRP channels that share some structural
similarity to each other. Importantly, many of these channels mediate
a variety of sensations like the sensations of pain, hotness, warmth
or coldness, as well as different kinds of tastes and pressure.
Additionally, TRPs have been seen to have complex multidimensional
roles in sensory signaling. The reduction of chronic pain may be
possible by targeting ion channels involved in thermal, chemical, and
mechanical sensation to reduce their sensitivity to stimuli.

About Grünenthal

Grünenthal is an entrepreneurial, science-based pharmaceutical
company specialized in pain, gout and inflammation. Our ambition is
to deliver four to five new products to patients in diseases with
high unmet medical need by 2022 and become a EUR 2 bn company. We are
a fully integrated research & development company with a long track
record of bringing innovative pain treatments and state-of-the-art
technologies to patients. By sustainably investing in our R&D above
the industrial average, we are strongly committed to innovation aimed
at helping patients.

Grünenthal is an independent, family-owned company headquartered
in Aachen, Germany. We are present in 32 countries with affiliates in
Europe, Latin America and the US. Our products are sold in more than
155 countries and approx. 5,200 employees are working for the
Grünenthal worldwide. In 2017, Grünenthal achieved revenues of
approx. EUR 1.3 bn.

More information: www.grunenthal.com
Follow us on LinkedIn "Grunenthal Group".

About the Centre for Drug Design and Discovery

The Centre for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3) translates
innovative science into promising drug discovery programs that are
well qualified for further development by pharmaceutical or biotech
companies. CD3 brings expert drug discovery capabilities and
financial means to academic research groups and small companies in
order to discover innovative small molecule drugs. Supported by KU
Leuven Research & Development and the European Investment Fund, CD3
launched a 60 million euro fund in 2016. CD3 has entered into several
successful partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and also
integrated drug discovery programs in spin-off companies. For more
information: www.cd3.eu

About LICR

The Laboratory of Ion Channel Research of KU Leuven is one of the
world leading research groups in the field of ion channels. The main
research aim is to better understand the modus operandi and
(patho)physiological role of transient receptor potential (TRP)
channels and to translate this knowledge into a better understanding
of the etiology of certain human diseases and ultimately into the
development of novel therapies.

About KU Leuven

KU Leuven is a leading European university dedicated to research,
education and service to society. It is a founding member of the
League of European Research Universities (LERU) and has a strong
European and international orientation. Its sizeable academic staff
conducts basic and applied research in a comprehensive range of
disciplines. University Hospitals Leuven, its network of research
hospitals, provides high-quality healthcare and develops new
therapeutic and diagnostic insights with an emphasis on translational
research. The University welcomes more 50,000 students from over 140
countries. Its doctoral schools organize internationally oriented PhD
programs for over 4,500 doctoral students. More info:
www.kuleuven.be/english.

For further information, please contact:
Stepán Krácala
Head Global Communications
Tel.: +49 241 569-1335
Stepan.Kracala@grunenthal.com
Grünenthal GmbH, 52099 Aachen, Germany

Patrick Chaltin
Managing Director CD3
Tel: +32-16-852.605
Patrick.Chaltin@kuleuven.be
CD3, BioIncubator 2, Leuven, Belgium

Original-Content von: Grünenthal Group, übermittelt durch news aktuell