PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicines Development for Global Health (MDGH), an Australian not-for-profit biopharmaceutical company, has retained d3 Medicine through an innovative risk-share agreement to provide strategic advice on the development and regulatory strategy to support the registration of moxidectin for onchocerciasis (“River Blindness”).
River Blindness is a disease caused by the filarial worm Onchocercavolvulus, which is transmitted through the bites of infected blackflies. Each adult female worm, which can live for up to 15 years in the human body, produces millions of microscopic offspring (microfilaria) that migrate through the skin, eyes, and lymph nodes. The microfilariae are the main cause of disease symptoms, which include severe skin inflammation and intense itching, enlarged lymph nodes and, in some patients, visual impairment that can ultimately lead to blindness. In sub-Saharan Africa, the disease affects more than 37 million people and approximately 115 million people are at risk of infection. Control and elimination of this disease currently relies on mass annual or biannual drug administration with ivermectin.
“We are committed to realise the potential of moxidectin in the management of onchocerciasis and, subsequently, for a number of other important neglected diseases,” said Mark Sullivan of Medicines Development for Global Health. “We conducted a global search to identify the most experienced development experts to achieve the goal of registering this drug for human use. It was a natural and logical choice to select d3 Medicine as our clinical pharmacology and regulatory science leads on this exciting program.”
In March 2015 MDGH secured an investment from the Global Health Investment Fund (GHIF, http://www.ghif.com) to complete the registration of moxidectin for the treatment of onchocerciasis, the first new therapy for this indication in approximately 30 years. In Phase II and Phase III clinical trials, moxidectin was shown to be superior to the current standard of care, ivermectin.
Craig Rayner, CEO of d3 Medicine said, “We are excited about working with MDGH on the moxidectin development strategy as it aligns perfectly with our mission to contribute to the development of impactful medicines and our commitment to influence global equity in access to innovative medicines. MDGH is recognised for its outstanding leadership in product development and we enjoy working with this dynamic and purpose driven team.”
About Medicines Development Limited (Medicines Development for Global Health)
Medicines Development for Global Health is a not-for-profit biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. This unique organisation was established in 2005 by a team of industry veterans to undertake the development and delivery of new medicines and vaccines for unmet medical needs prevalent in people in low- and middle-income countries. The company works on the development of a portfolio of products, including vaccines, small molecules and biological therapies, targeting predominantly infectious, immunologic and oncologic diseases
For more information about MDGH, visit www.medicinesdevelopment.com
About d3 Medicine LLC
d3 Medicine is a global biopharmaceutical strategic advisory company founded by a group of pharmaceutical company executives with decades of drug development experience. d3 Medicine aims to address the prevailing R&D market failure and to assist in the development of medicines that matter to society, for the people who need them most. It is committed to delivering impactful healthcare solutions through developing and executing value-focused drug development programs, business development strategies and technical due diligence.
For more information about d3 Medicine, visit www.d3medicine.com
Contacts
Medicines Development for Global Health
Mark Sullivan, Managing Director
T: +61 39629 6111, E: info@medicinesdevelopment.com
d3 Medicine LLC
Dr. Leigh Farrell, Chairman/Chief Operating Officer
Mob:+61 410 411 662, E: leigh.farrell@d3medicine.com
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SOURCE Medicines Development
