CRO GVK BIO Repurposes Takeda's Failed Compounds To Identify Novel Indications

GVK Biosciences, a contract research organization (CRO) in Asia, has agreed to repurpose Takeda’s failed compounds in search of new indications. The agreement, announced in a press release, calls for GVK to use its In-Silico drug repurposing platform to rescue assets, thereby strengthening Takeda’s pipeline. According to Thomson Reuters, repurposed drugs are a key strategy for growth for drug companies, considering repurposed drugs have increased 300 percent from 2001 to 2010. Richard K. Harrison, scientific director at Thomson Reuters stated in the Chemical and Engineering News journal, “Three key drivers make this very attractive. The cycle times are shorter, the development costs are less, and the success rates are higher.

GVK and Takeda Agreement

GVK BIO and Takeda have agreed to evaluate select therapeutic compounds with the hope of finding novel indications. DVK will use its In-Silico drug repurposing platform, also known as GVK BIO Repurposing Integrated Platform (GRIP). The platform incorporates databases, algorithms, analytics, and visualization tools. When candidates are identified, GVK will assist Takeda in establishing proof of concept and executing projects. Nandu Gattu, VP of Drug Repurposing at GVK BIO said, “A marriage between computational algorithms, analytical capabilities and our custom curated databases along with proven drug discovery experience enables us to develop a multi-pronged approach resulting in higher success rates.”

Drug Repurposing

Drug repurposing is an effort to identify failed or shelved generic drugs, marketed drugs, innovative compounds, and novel combinations that may suit alternative indications. Novel delivery systems, dosage adjustments, or formulations are also considered. Companies, academics, and nonprofit groups are extending efforts in drug repurposing as more repurposed agents than new agents make it from Phase 3 trials to market. GVK’s Mr. Gattu told the Hindu Business Line that the market is worth $10 billion.

However, the effort is not without risk. For instance, Merck earned approval for Vioxx (rofecoxib) for osteoarthritis, but when it began experimenting with the agent for treating colon polyps, cardiovascular issues arose. Merck had to report the findings, which led to it and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) withdrawing Vioxx from the market.

Still, industry and others, such as the National Institute of Health (NIH), continue their repurposing efforts. The NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) created the Discovering New Therapeutic Uses for Existing Molecules program, which major drug firms have joined and submitted their old drugs for evaluation.