Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Sign Exclusive Collaboration for the Discovery of Novel CRM1/Exportin 1 Inhibitors

13-Oct-2011 - Belgium

Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. has initiated an exclusive collaboration in the area of Selective inhibitors of Nuclear Export (SINE) modulators of the CRM1 protein with the Rega Institute for Medical Research, a part of the Katholieke University of Leuven (K.U.Leuven), Belgium. The nuclear transport machinery plays an integral role in the regulation of many molecules involved in a broad spectrum of human and animal disease. Karyopharm will work with scientists lead by Dr. Dirk Daelemans of the Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy at the Rega Institute on the discovery and development of novel SINE CRM1 inhibitors. Together, the groups will expand the portfolio of Karyopharm’s SINE CRM1 antagonists for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases and viral disorders.

Dr. Dirk Daelemans and his colleagues at the Rega Institute have done pioneering work in the area of nuclear export modulation, particularly in their roles in viral replication. Dr. Daelemans said, “We are very pleased to be working with the team at Karyopharm, as they are in a leading position to move our combined portfolio of compounds into development for the treatment of human diseases.”  Sharon Shacham, PhD, MBA, Karyopharm’s CSO and Head of R&D, commented “This collaboration with the Rega Institute, one of the world’s leaders in elucidation of mechanism of action of biologically active compounds, further strengthens our research and development platform dedicated to bringing the first nuclear export inhibitors to the clinic for cancer and other disorders.” It is anticipated that the collaboration will discover novel CRM1 inhibitors, beyond those already patented by Karyopharm.

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