CMT Research Foundation funds Shift to explore novel series of drugs created to control the expression of PMP22 gene
Overland Park: In late January, the CMT Research Foundation (CMTRF) announced a partnership with Shift Pharmaceuticals to further research in treatments for CMT1A, a familiar form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT). Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A, or better known as CMT1A, is a neurological disorder that affects peripheral nerves.
CMT is an autosomal genetic disorder that affects 150,000 Americans and 3 million people worldwide. Our technology platform “shift’s” a patient’s inherent biology back into line, correcting the problem with the patient’s own biological machinery.
“This collaboration with Shift Pharmaceuticals in another strong example of how the CMT Research Foundation is applying proven technologies to CMT,” says Susan Ruediger, CEO. “We are pleased to have Shift Pharmaceuticals as part of the CMTRF family of initiatives aimed directly at finding a cure for this destructive disease.”
“Working with the CMT Research Foundation has felt like a partnership from day one. By leveraging Shift’s core technology and experience with therapeutic development with the CMTRF’s deep understanding of core science related to CMT (through their staff and extensive network of advisors), we have collaboratively created an excellent research plan to move molecules towards the clinic for CMT,” says Steve O’Connor, CEO Shift Pharmaceuticals.
About Shift Pharmaceuticals
Shift Pharmaceuticals (a privately held company) is developing Antisense Oligonucleotides as drug candidates for a variety of genetic disorders. Shift was co-founded by serial entrepreneur Dr. Steve O’Connor and world-leading Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) research expert Dr. Chris Lorson. The company has licensed the core intellectual property from The University of Missouri, where the initial discovery and development was performed by Dr. Lorson.