KineMed renews research collaboration with Pfizer for advancement of novel diabetes pathways

KineMed Inc. today announced the renewal of a non-exclusive research collaboration with Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) for the advancement of novel approaches towards metabolic disease, in particular Type II Diabetes. The collaboration will employ KineMed's unique dynamic proteomics technology platform to map the impact of potential drug candidates on specific metabolic pathways.

“We are very pleased to announce the renewal of this ongoing partnership in an important area of medicine that affects so many Americans. Powerful discovery and investigative abilities of novel disease pathways are key strengths of our translational platform”

Diabetes is an emerging global healthcare epidemic with an estimated 347 million people affected, according to the WHO. Diabetes is predicted to become the seventh leading cause of death in the world by the year 2030 and total deaths from diabetes are projected to rise by more than 50% in the next 10 years.

In the United States Type II diabetes affects over one quarter of Americans over the age of 65. Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, and is now also the leading cause of kidney failure, non-traumatic lower-limb amputations and new cases of blindness among adults.

Despite 50 years of drug research, over 60% of patients remain unresponsive to current therapies, requiring novel approaches to address fundamental metabolic processes in diabetes.

"We are very pleased to announce the renewal of this ongoing partnership in an important area of medicine that affects so many Americans. Powerful discovery and investigative abilities of novel disease pathways are key strengths of our translational platform," said Dr. Scott Turner, Executive Vice-President, R&D at KineMed. "We look forward to continuing to work with Pfizer to accelerate and rapidly de-risk the advancement of novel compounds in pre-clinical and clinical trials."