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news.Idera Pharmaceuticals and The Myositis Association (TMA) have collaborated to advance a new potential treatment approach for polymyositis and dermatomyositis known as Toll-like receptor (TLR) antagonism.
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Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are rare inflammatory myopathies that cause inflammation and progressive weakness in muscles.
As part of the deal, the two firms will develop educational programs and resources for patients and healthcare providers, including interactive online chats, on TLR antagonism and opportunities to participate in upcoming clinical research.
By the end of 2014, Idera intends to start a clinical trial of its investigational drug candidate IMO-8400, a first-in-class antagonist of TLRs 7, 8 and 9, in polymyositis and dermatomyositis.
Idera Pharmaceuticals vice-president of Rare Diseases Kate Haviland said the company is happy to work with TMA, a myositis patient advocacy association that shares its commitment to advancing new therapies that may improve outcomes for patients living with this rare and painful inflammatory muscle disease.
"As we prepare to move our investigational drug candidate IMO-8400 into clinical development for polymyositis and dermatomyositis, we believe that TMA will be instrumental in increasing patient and physician awareness and excitement for opportunities to participate in clinical research involving TLR antagonism," Haviland said.
The Myositis Association executive director Bob Goldberg said: "We believe that the work Idera is doing will further the myositis medical field and our understanding of how to better treat patients suffering from this debilitating rare disease."