ReNeuron licenses stem cell line for Huntington’s disease drug discovery

Licensing

UK fetal neural stem cell specialist ReNeuron Group plc has signed a licence with BioFocus DPI, the drug discovery services division of Galapagos NV, under which ReNeuron will provide one of its neural stem cell lines derived from the striatum, the region of the brain most commonly affected by Huntington’s disease (HD).  

Researchers at BioFocus will use the cell line to validate HD drug targets they have discovered.  The research is being conducted by BioFocus on behalf of CHDI Foundation, Inc, a US-based charity working to develop drugs that delay or slow the progression of Huntington’s disease.  

ReNeuron will receive licence fees for supplying the cells. Michael Hunt, Chief Executive Officer of ReNeuron, said, “The cell line concerned has already shown its potential as a valid model of HD in the laboratory and is a further demonstration of the versatility of our range of stem cell lines for therapeutic and drug research applications.”