Cambridge : Sanofi Genzyme, the specialty care global business unit of Sanofi, announced a research collaboration with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine that will focus on novel strategies aimed at advancing the understanding of underlying causes of disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). The collaboration, under guidance by a joint committee of representatives from Sanofi Genzyme and the Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis Center, will leverage certain technologies and methodologies designed to inform new therapeutic approaches to treating disease progression.

As one of the largest clinical and research MS centers globally, the Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis Center brings a breadth of expertise and an established foundation of novel research approaches that complement Sanofi Genzyme’s MS research priorities.

“While there are currently no approved treatments for progressive forms of MS, the research landscape is evolving to where we are learning more about the underlying biology of disease progression,” said Michael Panzara, MD, Head of MS, Neurology and Ophthalmology Therapeutic Area, Global Development, Sanofi Genzyme. “Collaborations like this are important to advancing interventional strategies that slow relentless progression in MS. We are excited about the potential of this collaboration to advance our understanding of disease progression, enabling more rapid development of the next generation of MS therapies.”

Sanofi Genzyme’s MS research pipeline includes collaborations with academic medical centers that explore the pathogenesis of MS and potential novel therapeutics. Initiatives include identifying biomarkers of disease progression and exploring strategies to address neurodegeneration, considered to be a key factor driving disability accumulation in MS.