Douglas Ingram’s drug development work encompasses more than just Alzheimer’s disease, which his Irvine-based Chase Pharmaceutical Corp. focuses on.
He’s also participating in the growing movement of cannabis-based drug development through Costa Mesa-based Nemus Bioscience Inc. by serving as the company’s vice chairman. Nemus is working on cannabinoid compound-based drugs for glaucoma, a major cause of blindness, and other diseases.
“I am really interested intellectually in the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids,” said Ingram, a former president of Allergan Inc. [now Allergan PLC], in a recent interview conducted shortly after he moved Chase’s headquarters to OC from suburban Washington, D.C.
“Most other drugs that have that kind of therapeutic potential have been researched and explored and developed in helping patients long ago. But for regulatory and political and societal reasons, the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids … have not been exploited. I think there’s a lot of opportunity to help people.”
Nemus is publicly traded and had a recent market value of $8.7 million.
The startup announced early this month that it and its research and commercialization partner, the University of Mississippi, have identified a lead drug candidate in its development of a neuropathy-related pain management program.
Nemus said in a news release that the derivative possesses analgesic properties. The drug developer got the rights to the compound and other cannabidiol derivatives in December from the university.
Dr. Brian Murphy, Nemus’ chief executive, said he expects that the company initially will develop the compound for use in treating nerve pain induced by chemotherapy, complementing Nemus’ prodrug that’s being developed for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Prodrugs are compounds that metabolize into pharmacologically active drugs once inside a patient’s body.
Research Groups Combine
Cypress-based WCCT Global said this month that it will combine with Reno, Nev.-based Medelis Inc. Financial terms were undisclosed. It’s not known where the company will be based.
WCCT is a clinical research organization that offers early drug development and late-stage research services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries.
The company said in a news release that it works with clients on regulatory guidance, program management, patient recruitment for clinical trials, data management, and strategic consulting.
Medelis is a specialty oncology contract research organization that concentrates on preclinical work and phase I through IV oncology clinical trials in North America and Europe.
“The complex and rapidly growing oncology drug development market in the U.S., Europe and Asia requires unique insight and expertise and an eye toward the future,” said Dr. Kenneth Kim, WCCT’s chief executive and founder, adding that WCCT can offer that through linking with Medelis.
Bits & Pieces
Irvine-based device maker Lombard Medical Inc. said its Aorfix endovascular stent graft for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair was featured last week in a presentation at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. … Tustin-based DeviceLab Inc. said it was selected to participate in the 40 Free Renesas Synergy Design Partner Hours program. The program is sponsored by Tokyo-based microcontroller supplier Renesas Electronics Corp. and links new product design applicants with Renesas’ network of certified design house partners. … Mission Viejo-based MYnd Analytics Inc., previously known as CNS Response Inc., said it reached agreements with unnamed national laboratories to add genetic testing to its Peer Report test offering. The tests are generated from a patient’s EEG recording, a brain function measure that’s analyzed against MYnd’s database of more than 10,000 individual patients. The company said the report can help doctors reduce trial and error in prescribing treatments. … Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, which has campuses in Newport Beach and Irvine, said the Raleigh, N.C.-based Surgical Review Corp. gave it a center of excellence in robotic surgery accreditation. … Santa Ana-based County of Orange Health Care Agency’s public health services division received a five-year national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board. … Mission Viejo-based Aeolus Pharmaceuticals Inc. presented last week at the LD Micro Invitational in Los Angeles. David Cavalier, the drug developer’s chairman and chief financial officer, will be giving a pipeline update and meeting with investors.
