Collegium Pharmaceutical and Tufts University to Collaborate on Human Monoclonal Antibody Targeting Life-threatening Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Caused by E. Coli Toxins.Business Editors and Health/Medical Writers BIOWIRE2K HINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2003 Collegium col·le·gi·um n. pl. col·le·gi·a or col·le·gi·ums 1. An executive council or committee of equally empowered members, especially one supervising an industry, commissariat, or other organization in the Soviet Union. Pharmaceutical, Inc., a closely held A phrase used to describe the ownership, management, and operation of a corporation by a small group of people. In a closely held corporation, the same people often act as shareholders, directors, and officers, and no outside investors exist. specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Tufts University to further develop an antibody for neutralizing specific toxins from the E. coli E. coli: see Escherichia coli. E. coli in full Escherichia coli Species of bacterium that inhabits the stomach and intestines. E. coli can be transmitted by water, milk, food, or flies and other insects. bacteria that cause a life-threatening and largely untreated illness, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome hemolytic uremic syndrome n. A syndrome in which hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia occur with acute renal failure, marked in children by sudden gastrointestinal bleeding, urine that contains red blood cells and is scanty in volume, and (HUS). HUS, a rare condition primarily affecting children under 10, destroys red blood cells Red blood cells Cells that carry hemoglobin (the molecule that transports oxygen) and help remove wastes from tissues throughout the body. Mentioned in: Bone Marrow Transplantation red blood cells , causes damage to the lining of blood vessel blood vessel n. An elastic tubular channel, such as an artery, a vein, a sinus, or a capillary, through which the blood circulates. blood vessel(s), n the network of muscular tubes that carry blood. walls and, in severe cases, induces kidney failure kidney failure or renal failure Partial or complete loss of kidney function. Acute failure causes reduced urine output and blood chemical imbalance, including uremia. Most patients recover within six weeks. and death. There is currently no known treatment for the disease. The use of an antibody as a potential therapy for treatment and prevention of HUS was first conceived at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine veterinary medicine, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of animals. An early interest in animal diseases is found in ancient Greek writings on medicine. Veterinary medicine began to achieve the stature of a science with the organization of the first school in the in the laboratory of Dr. Saul Tzipori, Professor and Head, Division of Infectious Diseases. Dr. Tzipori has researched and published extensively in the area of E. coli shiga toxins, developing well-defined preclinical models. Collegium, in conjunction with Dr. Tzipori, will pursue potential preventive and therapeutic applications using human monoclonal antibodies. "Members of our Division have been working on the disease caused by E. coli for several years. Using models specifically developed to study this infection, we have characterized the toxins liberated in the gut that are absorbed into the bloodstream, causing kidney and brain damage. With Collegium as a partner, we are now ready to bring the human antibodies to human clinical trials," said Dr. Tzipori. Clinical trials are expected in the near future. E. coli is a well-recognized cause of acute gastrointestinal illness in humans. Outbreaks are commonly associated with food, milk and fecally contaminated products from cattle and other sources. More recent outbreaks have implicated im·pli·cate tr.v. im·pli·cat·ed, im·pli·cat·ing, im·pli·cates 1. To involve or connect intimately or incriminatingly: evidence that implicates others in the plot. 2. drinking water. Although many cases of the illness resolve in 5-10 days, a subset of ill individuals - typically the very young and the elderly, are susceptible to developing post-diarrheal HUS. This illness is extremely serious because it affects numerous body systems including the kidney, brain, heart, lung, gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. The disease is the most frequent form of kidney failure in children worldwide. Individuals developing HUS have a 5-15 percent mortality rate. Research indicates that over 50 percent of survivors may suffer long-term disability, including the need for dialysis or transplant. Jessica Wolfe, Ph.D., MPH, Vice President, Collegium said: "The association with Tufts University and Dr. Tzipori and his internationally recognized team provide Collegium with an outstanding opportunity to address an important public health issue and an unmet medical need. We are very excited about combining Collegium's extensive drug development experience with Dr. Tzipori's scientific leadership." About Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. Collegium, based in Hingham, MA, is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the development of "commercially ready" intellectual property for the pharmaceutical industry. Collegium utilizes a multi-functional development process and applies its expertise in clinical development, formulation/manufacturing and basic science (chemistry, biology, engineering) to develop unique products across various therapeutic areas. |
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