Biomedicine is the area which demonstrates best of all the highest level of Russian science. Though some experts claim countries like the US are preeminent in biomedical ventures, there are a bunch of companies that prefer to recruit specialists from Russia. Fusion Pharma, a biomed startup developing targeted therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia, is to some extend bucking the trend.
Photo: RIA Novosti
Though it intends to setup its initial phase of clinical trials overseas, it’s based in Russia, in the Skolkovo innovative hub located just outside of Moscow.
The company is developing targeted therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia. Well, the area of oncology is for sure full of unmet medical needs. The developed drug candidate is said to have some technological advantages over its main competitors. Its commercial potential is also quite high, says Head of Oncology/Immunology projects at Biomed cluster with the Skolkovo Foundation Kristina Khodova.
“If this drug is successful it has a very good exit potential with big pharmaceutical companies which operate in the field of oncohematology. The other important issue is that Fusion Pharma is now negotiating with several big pharmaceutical companies”Kristina Khodova said.
Currently, the company is performing the preclinical characterization of the drug. Ghermes Chilov,the company’sGeneral Director, says the full business plan is in place.
“We have a business plan which spans preclinical and clinical development of our drug candidate, and our final destination in this project is to reach the second-line treatment in chronic myelogenous leukemia and PH-positive acute leukemia. I think we will complete the Phase 1 clinical trial in the United States in 2016” Ghermes Chilov said.
The second part of clinical trials could see the clinical development spanning over to Europe, Russia and even Asia.
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