Genzyme enters neglected diseases R&D accord with ICGEB

US biotechnology major Genzyme has entered a drug development alliance focused on neglected diseases with the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, a US not-for-profit R&D organization.

The accord will initially focus on the development of new, improved treatments for malaria, a debilitating infectious disease endemic in developing countries. Scientists from the two organizations are currently targeting Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, increasingly resistant parasites that cause up to 65% of malaria in India.

ICGEB has already begun to identify promising targets that, with the development expertise of Genzyme, could lead to drug compounds effective against malaria. The research will take place both in ICGEB's laboratories in New Dehli, India, and in Genzyme's facilities in Waltham, Massachussetts, USA.