Grand Pharma (China) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Grand Pharma”) and Griffith University have jointly announced the official conclusion of a strategic cooperation agreement. Grand Pharma will obtain the global rights to co-develop and commercialize a human parainfluenza virus (hPIV) drug therapy and related technologies developed by the Institute of Glycomics at Griffith University.

By seizing the opportunity presented by the hPIV drug program to establish a research and development center in Australia, Grand Pharma has further boosted its international presence and its R&D capabilities. In doing so, Grand Pharma hopes to become the first corporation in the world to develop a new hPIV drug therapy, undertake future potential collaborative projects in Australia and fully leverage Australia’s rich and mature clinical resources to develop new drugs.

Under the strategic cooperation agreement, Griffith University will screen and optimize promising hPIV drug candidates, while Grand Pharma will establish a R&D center in Australia and take charge of the later phases of the program, including clinical development and commercial operations. The deal comprises significant upfront Research & Development and licence fees plus development and sales milestone fees with a tiered royalty on product sales

Development of the new hPIV drug therapy will be undertaken by a team of scientists led by Professor Mark von Itzstein AO, Director of the Institute for Glycomics. Professor Mark is also a co-inventor of Relenza, the world’s first drug for influenza.

hPIV is a common human respiratory tract virus that can cause severe respiratory symptoms in elderly persons or those with compromised immune systems. Various strains of hPIV cause outbreaks every one or two years. In contrast with the human influenza virus, which mainly infects the upper respiratory tract, the severe infections caused by hPIV mainly occur in the lower respiratory tract. Studies show that, in children hospitalized for lower respiratory tract viral infections, hPIV is the second-most common pathogen, after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 20% to 40% of these respiratory diseases, which include bronchiolitis and pneumonia, are caused by hPIV. “So far, there are no vaccines or drug therapies to prevent or treat parainfluenza,” said Professor Mark.

The world’s first hPIV drug therapy, developed by a team led by Professor Mark, has a small molecular structure and well-defined mechanisms of action. The drug suppresses disease progress and the spread of the virus by binding with the hemagglutinin neuraminidase (HN) proteins on the surface of hPIV, blocking the virus from entering host cells and reproducing. The drug also inhibits the release of daughter viruses from already-infected cells, reduces the number of circulating hPIV viruses and alleviates symptoms of infection.

Grand Pharma welcomes this opportunity to work with Griffith University on this promising new technology and its commercialization. Strong collaboration and complementary advantages between the Institute of Glycomics’ global exclusive innovation platforms and rich clinical resources, and Grand Pharma’s strengths in project management and commercial operations, will ensure the sound running of clinical trials and effective results, bringing hope to millions of patients around the world.

The present collaboration with Griffith University not only introduces the first global innovative R&D product to Grand Pharma’s respiratory and maxillofacial product portfolio, enriching its product line in this arena. It is also an important start to a long-term collaborative relationship with Griffith University, where Grand Pharma will play a role in commercializing Griffith’s scientific research achievements. The present collaboration will further strategic cooperation between the two parties, where the Institute of Glycomics’ strengths in basic research will enrich Grand Pharma’s innovation pipelines.