Project centers on BioFocus compounds shown to amplify therapeutic effect of galanin.

Galapagos could earn €3.3 million (about $4.2 million) in research fees over the next two years as part of a collaboration with Wellcome Trust researchers at the U.K.’s University of Bristol to develop treatments for diabetic neuropathic pain

The partnership is focused on developing an analgesic based on the protein galanin, which Galapagos says has been shown to reduce neuropathic pain in a number of disease models including diabetes. The firm’s BioFocus service division will provide hit-to-lead and lead optimization services for the project, which is funded by a Wellcome Trust Seeding Drug Discovery Award.

Project leader David Wynick, Ph.D., professor of molecular medicine at the University of Bristol, says studies suggest several compounds from BioFocus’ screening collection can amplify the therapeutic effect of galanin. “In this new collaboration with BioFocus, we aim to further optimize these molecules into potential clinical candidates for the treatment of chronic pain associated with diseases such as diabetes.”

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