Axxam SpA receives funding for the development of compounds for prevention treatment of disability in Multiple Sclerosis
Axxam SpA, Fast Forward LLC, a not-for-profit organization established by the U.S. National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, entered a collaboration to develop compounds for prevention treatment of disability in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Under the terms of this agreement, Axxam will screen its extensive chemical library to develop small molecules that target the sodium-calcium exchanger NCX1 on axons. Molecules preventing the sodium-calcium exchanger NCX1 activation in the reverse mode, have the potential to preclude axonal injury and ultimately clinical disability in MS.
The award from Fast Forward and Merck Serono provides Axxam SpA with funding over a period of 18 months, and is distributed from the Accelerating Commercial Development Fund, which is allocated to for-profit entities and is designed to accelerate the development of research discoveries into new or improved therapies for people with multiple sclerosis.