AstraZeneca Goes Deeper Into China Cardiovascular Focus With Tianjin Medical University Agreement
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
AstraZeneca has signed a collaboration agreement with Chinese research institution Tianjin Medical University to co-explore novel targets against cardiac fibrosis. The agreement builds on a string of such academic collaborations in the country focused on growing chronic diseases.
SHANGHAI - AstraZeneca PLC announced May 15 its second deal with a Chinese university in less than two months. This time, the company will partner with Tianjin Medical University to explore novel targets against cardiac fibrosis.
Under the agreement, TMU and AstraZeneca’s Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Innovative Medicines group will study the role of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors (sEHI) as a potential new treatment for cardiac fibrosis. The two parties will also investigate the potential causes of cardiac fibrosis. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
“TMU has an excellent reputation in scientific research. We look forward to building on each other’s strengths and expertise in order to further medical knowledge and ultimately, develop innovative new medicines that may benefit the hundreds of millions of patients who suffer from heart disease in China and around the world,” said Marcus Schindler, vice president of AstraZeneca’s Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Innovative Medicines group, in a statement (Also see "Emerging Market Earnings Roundup: China Surpasses Japan As AstraZeneca’s Second Largest Market (Part 4)" - Scrip, 28 Apr, 2014.).
AstraZeneca’s Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases (CVMD) Innovative Medicines group is based in Mölndal, Sweden, and houses close to 300 scientists and employees.
Build Up Cardiovascular And Diabetes Pipelines
In March, AstraZeneca signed a collaboration pact with Shenzhen University to discover new medicines for diabetic nephropathy (Also see "AstraZeneca Forms Research Alliance In China For Chronic Kidney Disease" - Scrip, 28 Mar, 2014.).
“These partnerships are helping us solidify our presence in China, reinforce our scientific leadership and ultimately bring the most value to patients” said former AstraZeneca’s vice president and head of the company’s Asia and Emerging Markets Innovative Medicines Unit Steve Yang, who recently joined Chinese CRO giant WuXi PharmaTech Inc. as chief operating officer (Also see "Asia On The Move: CFDA Names New Testing Agency Head, Steve Yang Joins WuXi Apptec" - Scrip, 17 Apr, 2014.).
Yi Zhu, a professor in the department of Physiology and Pathophysiology at TMU, will be the principal investigator for the research collaboration. Before joining TMU in 2012, Zhu was vice director of the department of Physiology and Pathophysiology at Peking University, with which AZ has a five-year contract to establish a research platform in cardiovascular disease and diabetes (Also see "Today Asia, Tomorrow The World? AstraZeneca Looks To Align R&D Strategy Across Emerging Markets" - Scrip, 25 Jul, 2011.).
The company also has a two-year research collaboration with Shanghai’s Fudan University focused on leonurine, a TCM compound derived from Herba Leonuri, a Chinese herb. The research will focus on cardiovascular diseases such as chronic heart failure, ischemic stroke and atherosclerosis (Also see "Quick Take: AstraZeneca Pursues Traditional Chinese Medicine As New Source For R&D" - Scrip, 18 Dec, 2012.).
AstraZeneca already has a strong cardiovascular product line in China. The company currently markets six products in China including Brilinta (ticagrelor), Betaloc (metoprolol), Crestor (rosuvastatin), Plendil (felodipine), Imdur (isosorbide mononitrate) and Zestril (lisinopril).
The company is also doubling its efforts in diabetes with its decision in December to acquire Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.’s entire diabetes portfolio (Also see "AZ Doubles Down On Diabetes, Buys Out Bristol’s Share in Alliance" - Pink Sheet, 19 Dec, 2013.).
According to the company, China has more than 100 million people with heart disease and 114 million diabetes patients. Cardiovascular diseases are also a major complication of diabetes with 65% of diabetes patients dying from heart disease and stroke.
All these four research collaborations in China come as the company has shifted its focus away from generics to refocus on its core competence of innovation (Also see "AstraZeneca Shakeup Of China Business Unit Steers Focus Away From Generics To Innovative Drugs" - Scrip, 21 May, 2013.).