Lundbeck Inc. launched a Huntington's disease (HD) research initiative to identify and ultimately commercialize therapies that may slow or halt the progression of the disease. The research will be driven by collaborations with academic institutions and companies with promising compounds in development.

"The Huntington's disease research community has made remarkable advances to enhance our understanding of this complex neurodegenerative disease during the past 20 years," said Stevin Zorn, executive vice president, Lundbeck Research USA. "HD is a devastating, destructive disease and it requires a bold approach to discovering new therapies that may alter its course. We are tremendously energized at the opportunity to collaborate with an exceptional community of scientists, organizations and academic institutions devoted to finding a cure."

Those conducting early-stage HD research and interested in exploring opportunities to collaborate with Lundbeck should send an e-mail to HDresearch@lundbeck.com.

"Bringing together financial resources and sufficient manpower to pursue new compounds for a rare disease like HD is a major challenge," said Ira Shoulson, MD, executive committee chair of the Huntington's Study Group (HSG), a non-profit group of clinical investigators experienced in the care of HD patients and families, who are dedicated to developing treatments that make a difference in HD. "For this international pharmaceutical company to now engage in HD research is an extremely positive development for the entire community."

In addition to its therapeutic focus, Lundbeck is actively engaged with the HD community through several initiatives, including:

- The Moving Together campaign through which the Lundbeck team aims to raise awareness and encourage dialogue about HD and its symptoms by participating in Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) community education and fundraising events nationwide.

- The Build Hope for HD donation campaign, held in May 2010 during HD Awareness Month, supported a medical clinic in Venezuela fully dedicated to caring for patients with HD in a community of the largest known family with the disease that was key to discovery of the HD gene. This campaign was conducted in partnership with the Hereditary Disease Foundation (HDF) and HSG.

- Lundbeck served as the leading sponsor for HDF's clinical symposium in 2010 that brought together scientists from around the world to present and discuss the latest HD research.

"Our extensive work in the HD community over the past few years has helped us better understand the needs of the patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals who confront the challenges of HD every day," said Staffan Schüberg, president of Lundbeck Inc. "We recognize that nothing is more important to the community than finding a cure and we are committed to doing our part to move the science forward. Through our current work and the initiation of an HD research program, we are helping those affected by HD today while providing hope for future generations affected by this devastating disease."

About Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease characterized by a triad of progressive motor, cognitive and emotional symptoms. 2 These symptoms vary from person to person. The survival time after the onset of symptoms can range from 10 to 30 years.1 Currently, there is no known cure for HD.1

1. Huntington's Disease. Mayo Clinic. See here. Last accessed 11/22/10.

2. Kirkwood SC, Su JL, Conneally PM, Foroud T. Progression of Symptoms in the Early and Middle Stages of Huntington Disease. Archives of Neurology 2001; 58:273-278.

Source:
Lundbeck Inc.