Ahmedabad: Pergamum and Cadila Pharmaceuticals announced a strategic collaboration to develop a novel treatment of infections with a unique targeting mechanism clearly distinguished from classical antibiotics. Pergamum is part of the Karolinska Development portfolio.

The two companies will collaborate on the preclinical and clinical development of a novel therapeutic peptide that has been developed by Pergamum. The development will be conducted at the facilities of Cadila Pharmaceuticals in Ahmedabad, India. Cadila will be responsible for all costs related to the development of the product up to phase II and global rights will be shared between the companies.

Infections caused by resistant microorganisms often fail to respond to conventional treatment, resulting in prolonged illness and greater risk of death. There is a significant need for safe and effective new products to avoid infections.

"Pergamum has developed a new class of short synthetic peptides with both anti-infective and anti-inflammatory properties derived from the body's own defense system. There is a rapidly increasing global prevalence of antibiotics resistance that limits the therapeutic value of conventional products, and we think that we can meet this need with this novel therapeutic peptide", says Mr Jonas Ekblom, CEO, Pergamum.

"This partnership combines Cadila's advanced product development capabilities with the innovative capacity of Pergamum. Cadila Pharmaceuticals bring their expertise in drug development and demonstrates that commitment towards developing affordable innovative compounds to the market in this collaboration", says Mr Rajiv Modi, chairman and managing director of Cadila Pharmaceuticals.