Zydus Lifesciences and CDRI Forge Alliance to Pioneer Osteoporosis Treatment for CKD Patients

Zydus Lifesciences Ltd and the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) signed a collaborative research agreement on September 17, 2024, at Zydus Research Centre in Ahmedabad. This partnership is to facilitate the development of oral medications through small-molecule inhibitors of Sclerostin. It will focus on preclinical research, and any resulting drug candidates will be developed by Zydus for distribution in India and other markets, paving the way for innovative osteoporosis therapies for Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. 

CKD affects over 10% of the global population, leading to significant health challenges, including a progressive decline in kidney function that can culminate in kidney failure. One notable consequence of CKD is the disruption of mineral metabolism, which raises the risk of osteoporosis and fractures, particularly among individuals over 65, with women being especially vulnerable. Unfortunately, many conventional anti-osteoporosis medications are contraindicated for CKD patients due to the potential worsening of renal function, highlighting the urgent need for safe and effective treatments.

Research indicates that the protein Sclerostin plays a critical role in bone metabolism dysregulation. Elevated levels of Sclerostin have been observed in CKD patients with osteoporosis. Consequently, Sclerostin has emerged as a promising drug target for treating both CKD-induced and postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Commenting on this partnership, the Chairman of Zydus Lifesciences Limited, Mr Pankaj Patel, said, “Zydus has a significant focus on chronic kidney disease (CKD) having discovered the novel drug Desidustat in our R&D laboratories. CSIR-CDRI’s deep-rooted expertise in biomedical research, coupled with Zydus’s innovative approach to drug discovery and development, creates a powerful synergy. Together, we’ll explore new avenues for treating bone metabolism disorders, ensuring that CKD patients have access to effective and affordable therapies that improve their quality of life.”

Dr Radha Rangarajan, Director, CSIR-CDRI said, “CSIR-CDRI has worked extensively in the area of bone metabolism under the leadership of Dr Naibedya Chattopadhyay. The CDRI team consists of Dr Arun Trivedi, Dr Divya Singh, Dr Kinshuk Srivastava, Dr Imran Siddiqui, Dr. Kishor Mohanan, Dr Pintu Mandal and Dr Shashi Gupta will take a pioneering approach to identifying compounds that inhibit Sclerostin signalling.” 

He further stated, “Zydus Life Sciences has deep expertise in drug development, particularly in the area of chronic kidney disease. The complementary expertise and capabilities of the two organizations, combined with a shared mission to address India’s unmet needs through innovative therapies, have made this collaboration possible. Such public-private partnerships have the potential to catalyze cutting-edge research and development for novel drugs in India.”

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making related decisions.