AstraZeneca and MedImmune join chronic kidney disease consortium

AstraZeneca announced this week that it, along with its worldwide biologics research and development subsidiary, MedImmune, have entered into an agreement to partner with the University of Michigan and Eli Lilly to develop new therapeutic drugs to treat chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Extensive clinical and molecular data will be collected by the consortium from Professor Matthias Kretzler at the University of Michigan. His database will then be combined with the pharmaceutical industry’s research and development knowledge.

Professor Kretzler has developed a renal database comprised of data collected from more than 1,000 patients. The database also includes numerous animal models of CKD for the advanced research of the disease. The newly formed conglomerate will have access to the database of information to be able to research the progression of CKD in hopes of developing new medications to combat specific pathways of the disease.

AstraZeneca has said that joining the consortium solidifies its commitment to becoming a global leader in treating CKD. The company hopes that the information gained while working with the other organizations will expand its products and help reach more patients affected by the disease.